PACE plans to adopt resolution to protect rights of Crimean Tatars under occupation

18.06.2021 16:31

Ukrinform

During the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe next week, it is planned to hold debates and adopt a comprehensive resolution to protect the rights of Crimean Tatars in the context of the Russian occupation of Crimea.

This is stated in the draft agenda of the PACE session, which will be held in Strasbourg on June 21-24 in a hybrid format, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Debates and vote on the resolution "The situation of Crimean Tatars" are scheduled for Wednesday, June 23.

The rapporteur is Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, Iceland’s parliamentarian, representative of the Icelandic Pirate Party and the political group of Socialists, Democrats, and Greens Group in the PACE.

“Since early 2014 and the ongoing temporary occupation by the Russian Federation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Crimea), which is part of the territory of Ukraine, Crimean Tatars have faced grave violations of their rights,” reads the document.

The PACE underscores that repressions of Russia’s occupying power against Crimean Tatars include killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and inhuman or degrading treatment. These acts are allegedly committed by members of the security forces or law enforcement officials and have moreover not been subject to an effective investigation, as well as illegal searches and unjustified legal proceedings. In addition, the occupiers often abuse the application of Russian legislation in Crimea by transferring Crimean Tatars to the territory of the Russian Federation.

“The work of journalists and the freedom of expression and assembly have also been unjustifiably restricted. The constant, disproportionate pressure placed on Crimean Tatars and human rights defenders working on their behalf creates a climate of fear and hostility,” the report says.

As reported, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović earlier stated that she could not enter the territory of Crimea to get acquainted with the human rights situation on the peninsula.