The statement on a new wave of repressions and the death of Vedzhie Kashka

25 November 2017

On November 23, 2017, Russian occupants in Crimea in an attempt to put the indigenous people of the peninsula to their knees, committed another crime, having conducted a number of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detentions of activists of the Crimean Tatar national movement.

In consequence of one of such searches using physical and psychological pressure, the heart of the legendary participant of the Crimean Tatar national movement, respected among the people the 83-years-old Vedzhie Kashka, stopped.

Vedzhie Kashka, an indomitable fighter against the Soviet authoritarian regime of the former USSR, a participant of all notable events in the recent history of the Crimean Tatar people, an ally of the faithful friends of the Crimean Tatar people – General Petro Grigorenko and Russian dissident scientist Andrei Sakharov, became another victim of the Russian occupation of the Crimea.

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people strongly condemns the assassination of the activist of the Crimean Tatar national movement Vedzhie Kashka by Russian occupants and calls on Ukrainian law enforcement agency to make all efforts to bring the responsible for the death to justice in the framework of national and international judicial institutions.

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people appeals to international organizations and governments around the world with call to increase thepressure on the Russian Federation. It becomes obvious that the targeted repressions of the Russian occupation regime against the Crimean Tatar people is becoming more stringent. Numerous attempts to discredit the Crimean Tatar people, declaring his sons and daughters – terrorists, his representative body – the Mejlis – extremist, had not matched the expectations. Aware of strongness of the Crimean Tatar people, the futility of attempts to intimidate and silence the Crimean Tatars, the Russian occupants do not find another way than intensification of repression. The international community should apply all mechanisms to protect civilians of the Crimea and prompt de-occupation of the Crimea.

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people requires the Russian occupation authorities immediately to stop all human rights oppressions on the peninsula, and immediately and undoubtedly release the illegally annexed Crimea.

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people expresses sincere condolences to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Vedzhie Kashka, her relatives and friends, the entire Crimean Tatar people in connection with the death of the glorious daughter of the Crimean Tatar people.

Friday, November 24, the day of the burial of Vedzhie Kashka is declared the Day of Mourning. On this day in all Crimea and in places of residence of the Crimean Tatars outside the Crimea, putting of the Crimean Tatar national flags at half-mast and abstention from entertainmentare taking place.

Refat Chubarov,
The Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people

Kyiv, November 24, 2017