The Crimean Tatars have been a member of the UNPO since 1991. 

The Crimean Tatars are the native people of Crimea, with a strong connection to the region that goes back centuries. They have a distinct ethnic, cultural, and linguistic identity, and have historically governed themselves through institutions like the Mejlis, maintaining a strong collective identity despite external pressures.

Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Crimean Tatars have been systematically voiceless and stripped of political representation. The Russian authorities’ ban on the Mejlis has effectively silenced their primary means of political expression, leaving them without a legitimate platform to advocate for their rights. This exclusion has been marked by harassment, imprisonment, and forced disappearances, as part of a broader strategy to erase the Crimean Tatars’ cultural and political presence.

Respecting the Crimean Tatars’ right to self-determination would empower them to protect their land, culture, and identity while contributing to the stability and development of Crimea. Recognizing their autonomy would uphold the principles of justice, human rights, and democracy, and reinforce international norms regarding the protection of indigenous peoples, setting a positive precedent for other marginalized communities worldwide.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Crimean Tatar as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Crimea. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of the Crimean Tatars within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Milli Mejlis. You can read more about the Milli Mejlis here.

The Crimean Tatar culture is a unique fusion of Turkic, Islamic, and European influences, reflecting the region’s rich history. This cultural identity is expressed through traditional music, dance, cuisine, and religious practices that have been passed down through generations. Islam plays a central role in Crimean Tatar life, with mosques and religious rituals serving as key communal and spiritual hubs.Despite facing exile, repression, and efforts to erase their culture, the Crimean Tatars have kept a strong sense of identity and pride, showing great resilience in tough times. 

The Crimean Tatars are an indigenous people of Crimea, with a history stretching back centuries. They have long been recognized as the original inhabitants of the Crimean Peninsula, where they developed a distinct cultural and political identity. However, their history has been characterized by repeated attempts to undermine their autonomy. Russia first annexed Crimea in 1783, and during this time many Crimean Tatars struggled for their civic rights and were deported from Crimea under Stalin’s rule. In 1944, during the Soviet era, Stalin ordered a mass deportation of Crimean Tatars, devastating their population and disrupting their culture. In 1954, Crimea was given to Ukraine where until recently it functioned with autonomy status with its own constitution (as of 1996). Until the Russian annexation in 2014, Crimea functioned as an autonomous republic within Ukraine, governed under its own constitution. The region had a degree of self-governance, which included the recognition of the Crimean Tatars’ cultural and political rights. However, the disputed 2014 referendum, followed by Russia’s annexation of Crimea, drastically altered the situation. Despite international condemnation and non-recognition of the annexation, Russia proceeded to integrate Crimea into its federation, disregarding the rights and wishes of the Crimean Tatar people.

The annexation has led to a sharp increase in human rights violations against Crimean Tatars, including persecution, forced disappearances, and suppression of their cultural and political institutions. The Mejlis, the representative body of the Crimean Tatars, was banned by Russian authorities, further silencing their voice. These actions echo the repressive measures of the Soviet era, underlining a continued pattern of disenfranchisement and cultural marginalization.

Since the 2014 annexation, the Crimean Tatars have faced intensified discrimination and persecution. Despite international sanctions against Russia, the situation for Crimean Tatars has deteriorated, with Moscow consolidating its control over the region and legitimizing its actions through the ratification of a treaty that disregards international law. This has left the Crimean Tatars in a precarious position, forcing many to flee their homeland to avoid persecution.

Russian authorities have employed harsh tactics under the guise of maintaining security, including raids on Crimean Tatar homes, businesses, and cultural institutions. The situation has troubling similarities to Soviet-era policies, with reports of enforced disappearances, abductions, and forced exiles. Additionally, restrictions on education, media, and political participation further marginalize the Crimean Tatars, depriving them of their fundamental rights and making it difficult for them to advocate for their interests.

The Crimean Tatars’ right to self-determination has been consistently undermined, both historically and in the current political context. The annexation of Crimea without their consent and the subsequent repression of their cultural and political institutions violate their right to determine their own political, economic, social, and cultural development. Respecting their right to self-determination would allow the Crimean Tatars to reclaim control over their affairs, preserve their cultural heritage, and ensure their meaningful participation in governance. This, in turn, could lead to greater stability and peace in the region by addressing the root causes of conflict and fostering a more inclusive and just political order.

Respecting the Crimean Tatars’ right to self-determination would have significant positive outcomes for both the Crimean Tatars and the broader region. It would empower the Crimean Tatar community to protect their land, culture, and identity while contributing to the overall stability and development of Crimea. Recognizing their autonomy and rights would also serve as a testament to the principles of justice, human rights, and democracy, sending a strong message that diversity and self-governance are integral to a peaceful and prosperous society. Additionally, it would strengthen international norms regarding the protection of indigenous peoples and their rights, setting a precedent for other marginalized communities around the world.