Ukrainian diaspora to fight for Crimean Tatar people rights - UWC President Czolij

“On behalf of the 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora, the Ukrainian World Congress declares its solidarity with the Crimean Tatar people and commits its continued support in the fight for the de‑occupation of Crimea and the defense of the human, national and religious rights and freedoms of Crimean Tatars,” stated Czolij, the UWC’s website reports.

He also congratulated the Crimean Tatar people on the 100th anniversary of the First Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar People, which proclaimed the Crimean People's Republic and adopted the Constitution. 

“Despite the fact that, as a result of the brutal actions of Soviet authorities, the young Crimean People's Republic was short-lived, the convening of the First Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar People remains a historic event of international consequence that testifies to the long-standing aspiration of the Crimean Tatar people for self-determination and establishes democratic traditions in the history of the Crimean Tatars,” he said.

The UWC president also stressed that at present Crimean Tatars once again suffer harsh pressure, repression and persecution by the occupying authorities of the Russian Federation.

“Since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine, including the illegal occupation of Crimea, the UWC has strengthened its cooperation with the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and with its network in 53 countries actively furthers the issues of Crimean Tatars in the international community,” Czolij stressed.

iy