Crimean Tatars: US Calls for Immediate End to Harassment in Crimea
Following increasing reports of harassment and persecution of the Crimean Tatars by Russian authorities, the US Mission to the OSCE has issued a statement urging Russia to end its harassment of religious and minority communities in Crimea. This comes in the wake of reports stating that five people have been the victims of enforced disappearances, including three Crimean Tatars.
Below is a statement published by the USOSCE:
We urge the Russian occupying authorities to cease their harassment of religious and ethnic minority communities in Crimea
In Crimea, the human rights situation continues to worsen since Russia’s occupation began in March. We would like to draw attention to a recent report by Human Rights Watch noting that several individuals have gone missing in enforced disappearances in Crimea since May, including in recent weeks. We condemn the dozens of raids on Crimean Tatar mosques, schools, and homes during the past month, as well as the closure of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, all on the pretext of combatting “extremism.” We urge the Russian occupying authorities to cease their harassment of religious and ethnic minority communities, investigate violent crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice, and allow international human rights monitors full access.
Madame Chair, as we have stated before, Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from Ukraine and away from its border, and end support for separatist forces. Russia must respect its neighbor’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and end its occupation of Crimea.
