On the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that modern Russia continues Stalinist policies, seeking to deprive the Crimean Tatar people of their homeland.
This is said in a statement by the MFA of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
The ministry recalled that eighty-one years ago, the Stalinist regime forcibly deported the Crimean Tatar people from their ancestral homeland to Central Asia.
“Ukraine will never forget this crime — a deliberate attempt to annihilate the indigenous people of Crimea, to strip them of their land, their identity, and their historical memory… Modern-day Russia continues Stalin’s policies, aiming to deprive Crimean Tatars of their homeland once again. Since the illegal occupation of Crimea, the peninsula has been subjected to oppression and gross human rights violations. This campaign of repression pursues the same genocidal goal as in 1944: to force the Crimean Tatar people out of their land,” the statement reads.
The ministry expressed gratitude to all countries that, together with Ukraine, recognized the 1944 deportation as an act of genocide against the Crimean Tatar people.
“We urge others to follow suit. Recognizing the deportation as genocide restores historical justice, honors the memory of the victims, and demonstrates solidarity with Crimean Tatars in their ongoing struggle for freedom and the right to live on their native land,” the MFA added.
The ministry recalled that Russia’s occupation authorities prohibited activities of the Mejlis, prosecute and imprison Crimean Tatars on fabricated political and religious charges, conduct raids and searches, intimidating and killing them. However, Ukraine remembers every Crimean Tatar unlawfully imprisoned in Russian jails and will continue to fight for their freedom.
“Today, Crimean Tatars stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians, defending Ukraine from Russian aggression — both on the front lines as part of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and through resistance in temporarily occupied Crimea. In our unity lies our strength. We will prevail. People who do not give up their struggle will ultimately reclaim what was stolen from them. We are confident that all Ukrainian citizens forced to flee their homes will return. Crimea is Ukraine,” the MFA stressed.
As reported by Ukrinform, on Sunday, May 18, Ukraine observes the Day of Struggle for the Rights of the Crimean Tatar People, honoring the victims of the Crimean Tatar genocide on the 81st anniversary of their mass deportation.
Source: Ukraine’s MFA: Russia continues Stalinist repressions against Crimean Tatars
