Since the occupation of Crimea in 2014, the Russian authorities have been pursuing a policy of persecution and intimidation aimed at suppressing any manifestations of dissent. During this period, 362 political prisoners and those prosecuted in criminal “cases” were recorded, 226 of whom are representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. These are mostly people who openly oppose the occupation, defend human rights or are activists of the Crimean Tatar people.
In addition to political repression, Russia has used violent methods to force assimilation and destroy Crimean Tatar identity, including banning the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, persecuting the people’s leaders, and closing down independent media. Torture, unfair trials, and detention in inhumane conditions have become common tools of the Russian authorities to combat dissidents in Crimea.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 was another manifestation of the state policy of violence and aggression directed not only against the Ukrainian state, but also against civilians. The invasion is accompanied by massive human rights violations: killings, torture, abductions of civilians and the forced mobilization of Crimean Tatars into the Russian army.
Russia today is the embodiment of violence, and its actions on the territory of Ukraine demonstrate disregard for international law and basic principles of non-violence.
On this day, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center calls on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to stop its blatant human rights violations in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Each of us can contribute by supporting campaigns to draw attention to these crimes and demand justice for all those affected by Russia’s violent actions.