Crimean Tatars: Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Stands for Indigenous People
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted a conference on the Ukrainian approach to protecting the right of the Crimean Tatars, with notable speakers including Tatar leaders Mustafa Dzhemilev and Refat Chubarov, according to Crimea Action Group. During this event, Ms Aksana Filipishyna, representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, recognizing the mistakes of previous Ukrainian Governments, stated that the Tatars should be guaranteed the rights of indigenous peoples and general minority rights.
Photo courtesy of Matt Shalvatis@flickr
Below is a press release by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights:
The Representative of the Commissioner for observance of rights of the child, non-discrimination and gender equality Ms. Aksana Filipishyna took part in the conference "Ukrainian way in ensuring the rights of the Crimean Tatar people as an indigenous people of Ukraine", which was held today, December 22, 2014, in the National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" and was dedicated to the topical issues of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people.
Ms. Aksana Filipishyna emphasized the principle position of the Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Valeriya Lutkovska that it is necessary to solve the problems of the Crimean Tatars in full compliance with international law, guaranteeing the rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities, especially in view of the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Having characterized the policy of the previous Ukrainian governments concerning restoration of the full range of rights of deported Crimean Tatars as insufficient and inconsistent, Ms. Aksana Filipishyna noted that following the new challenges not one, but three complex problems need to be resolved. After all legal and practical recognition of the Crimean Tatar people as an indigenous people of Ukraine, it is necessary to take into consideration the problem of the occupation of Crimea and the violations of human rights of Crimean Tatars by the occupant authorities, as well as tasks related to resettlement of internally displaced persons from the Crimean Tatars.
"Crimean Tatars can be considered particularly vulnerable persons, because for them, in addition to everything else, there is an issue to preserve their identities in different cultural and religious environment" – Ms. Aksana Filipishyna emphasized.
Finally, the Representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights expressed hope that the outcome of the conference will contribute to the elaboration of effective recommendations for the restoration and observance of rights of Crimean Tatars and that implementation of these recommendations will be properly ensured by state authorities.
