European Parliament: persecutions against Tatar community must cease

October 9, 2017.

    MEPs denounce the sentences against Ilmi Umerov, Crimean Tatar Leader and Deputy Chair of Mejlis, Akhtem Chyigoz, Deputy Chair of the Mejlis, and journalist Mykola Semena. These convictions are serious violations of their human rights and should be reversed, they urge. Mr Umerov and Mr Chyigoz should be immediately and unconditionally released while all charges against Mr Semena should be immediately and unconditionally dropped, MEPs add.
    The "reality of repression and the application of legislation on extremism, terrorism and separatism has led to a severe deterioration in the human rights situation on the Crimean peninsula and to the widespread violation of freedom of speech and association; (...) forced imposition of Russian citizenship has become systematic and fundamental freedoms are not guaranteed" there, say MEPs. The "annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation is illegal and in violation of international law and European agreements signed by both the Russian Federation and Ukraine"