On Saturday, March 2, an action in the framework of the international civil movement #LIBERATECRIMEA was held in Ankara. It was dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the occupation of Crimea. The activists unfolded posters and banners with the words “#LIBERATECRIMEA”, “We will not forget”, “MILLET! VATAN! KIRIM!”, “Crimea is Ukraine”, “Where is Ervin Ibrahimov?” and others. The action was joined by several dozens of people who expressed support and solidarity with the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in the occupied peninsula and once again reminded that Crimea is Ukraine.
#LIBERATECRIMEA is an international civil movement for the de-occupation of Crimea and solidarity with the Crimean Tatar people. It is aimed at strengthening the voice of civil society, calling for the cessation of the illegal occupation of Crimea, the flagrant violation of international law and the root cause of the countless human rights violations committed in Crimea since February 2014. The movement was initiated one year ago. During this period, actions were held in Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Australia in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. In October 2018, activists of the movement launched the campaign “United by the Flag – #LIBERATECRIMEA”, within which the national flag of the Crimean Tatar people will travel around the world for 9 months and on June 26, on the day of the Crimean Tatar flag, will return to Kiev. In December 2018, representatives of #LIBERATECRIMEA announced about the launch of campaign “Candidate, tell Whose Crimea?” aimed at monitoring the programs of candidates running for president in Ukraine as for de-occupation of Crimea and an action plan for the protection of human rights in the occupied Crimea. On February 12, at a press conference, activists presented the first stage of monitoring and noted that the programs of most candidates running for president do not have a clear plan for the de-occupation of Crimea, and mentioning about the return of the peninsula is not specific. Some of them have not mentioned Crimea in their programs at all. Today, thousands of people around the world join #LIBERATECRIMEA and show their solidarity with the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar peoples.