US accuses Russia of human rights violations in the Crimea
The USA accused Russia of suppressing dissent and the oppression of the Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian activists in annexed Crimea as was stated in the Annual Report on Human Rights Standards, published on the website of the US State Department on Wednesday, 13 April.
Russian authorities have deprived Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars "the ability to express support for their nationality and ethnic origin" and "have systematically suppressed and discriminated against them," as stated by the US Department.
The research from 2015 shows that the Crimean Tatars who are opposed to the annexation were suppressed, arrested and were also denied the right to a fair trial and free expression.
Crimean authorities stifle the free speech of the Crimean Tatar media and independent non-governmental organizations, as the report states. At the same time those who refuse to adopt Russian citizenship face discrimination when trying to gain access to education, health care and employment.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after a referendum which was not recognized by the international community, in particular the US and the European Union, and was inconsistent with Ukrainian law.