The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations calls the President of Ukraine to intervene with the conflict between the Crimean Government and Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

11 March 2013

This letter was the response to the reports that “Mejlis was actually debarred” from organization of the events of May 18, timed to the anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars, and that the majority of Mejlis’ representatives were dismissed from the governmental offices.

“We are very concerned about the intentions of the executive authorities of Crimea to make changes to the plan of holding of the mourning events on the eve and on May 18, 2013, that were not agreed with the representative body of Crimean Tatars – Mejlis,”- the address, initiated by the Leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, MP of Ukraine Mustafa Jemilev said.

The Committee addressed the President Yanukovych asking him “to take measures, aimed at restoring the dialogue and fruitful cooperation between the state bodies of Ukraine, executive authorities of Crimea and Mejlis, Crimean Tatar MPs of the Verkhovna Rada of Crimea and local bodies of self-governance”.

The Committee of the VRU also expressed its readiness to hold its field meeting in Crimea in case the conflict won’t be solved.

In its turn the member of the Committee on Human Rights and Mejlis Leader Mustafa Jemilev said that “the attempts of the present Crimean authorities to split the Crimean Tatar national movement are doomed to failure”.

According to Mejlis’ Leader the meeting will be held in Crimea, attended by people concerned. “We will examine it. I hope that it will ease the existing tension,”- Mustafa Jemilev noted.

“Crimean Tatars have to know that they won’t be left single-handed with the inadequate actions of the local authorities. Ignoring of Mejlis looks either like a big mistake or purposeful provocation, aimed at aggravation of the situation in Crimea,”- the First Vice Chairman of the Committee of the VRU on Human Rights, national minorities and international relations Andrei Shevchenko said.

The letter of the Committee adopted unanimously at its meeting also suggested the President to consider the possibility to hold the International forum on resettlement of Crimean Tatars in Ukraine.

The field meeting of the Committee on Human Rights will be held in Crimea until May 18, 2013.