EU calls on Russia to stop putting pressure on Crimean Tatars

The European Union stated this a statement at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, according to Ukrinform’s correspondent.

"The EU is concerned by the reports of house searches and detentions in the occupied Crimea. According to the statement made by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on March 17, after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea five years ago, the situation with human rights on the peninsula has deteriorated significantly. Residents of the peninsula are subjected to systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, and the rights of Crimean Tatars are seriously violated. The EU expects Russia to stop putting pressure on the Crimean Tatar community," the statement says.

The European Union reiterated its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and called on Russia to act in the same way.

As reported, on March 27, mass searches were conducted in the houses of Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea, followed by detentions of the Crimean Solidarity activists.

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