Leader of Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Jemilev Meets with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ms Astrid Thors

24 March 2014

On March 24, 2014, Mustafa Jemilev, leader of the Crimean Tatar people, MP of Ukraine met in Kyiv with Ms Astrid Thors, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

In the framework of her important mission to study the situation in Ukraine after the intrusion of Russian troops and occupation of Crimea, holding the “referendum” and its official annexation, the OSCE High Commissioner will hold a series of meetings with the state officials and heads of public organizations.

Mustafa Jemilev was the first she met along with Mr Aslan Omer Qirimli, Vice Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Head of Association of Crimean Tatars in Kyiv who also joined the meeting.

During the continuous talk Ms Astrid Thors expressed her particular interest in the situation with the Crimean Tatar people that found themselves in the occupied territory in Crimea along with the rest Ukrainian citizens, the possible developments of the situation and position of the Crimean Tatars regarding the restoration of their rights as an indigenous people of Ukraine.

Mustafa Jemilev also informed the High Commissioner about the more frequent occurrences of violation of the human rights in Crimea – killings, kidnapping, threats and strengthening media blackout from Russian and Crimean authorities.

The parties also discussed the agenda of the coming Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People, including the possibility of holding a national referendum on self-determination.