May 09, 2016

Crimean Tatars: Washington Calls on Russia to End Persecution and Occupation


Photo credit: UNIAN

 

Following the detention of 25 Crimean Tatars on Saturday 7 May 2016, Washington has called on Moscow to cease its violations of the rights of minorities and those who oppose the Kremlin’s policy. The statement, released by U.S. officials, reiterates their concern over the situation in Crimea as well as the continued obvious discrimination against Crimean Tatars in the occupied peninsula.

 

Below is an article published by Ukraine Today:


Washington has reacted to recent mosque raid which resulted in one hundred people being captured:

Russia must immediately cease oppressing and persecuting Tatars in occupied Crimea. Washington calls on Moscow to stop violating the rights of those who oppose the Kremlin's policy.

This is reported by the U.S. State Department, according to Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform.

"We are deeply concerned about the situation in Crimea. Russia continues to discriminate [against] the Tatars on the occupied peninsula", said in the statement.

The U.S. officials add that the Kremlin resorts to violence towards the people. The Tatars are often beaten and threatened by local police. The law enforcers additionally regularly raid Crimean mosques and illegally detain parishioners.

"The violence and human rights violations must come to the end. We again call on Russia to stop the occupation of the peninsula", the U.S. State Department underlines.

Earlier Crimean right groups reported several dozen armed men raided a mosque on the peninsula. They captured and kidnapped one hundred Tatars. Later they released the hostages, but told them to come to the police. The raiders were reportedly members of the Russian OMON (riot police).