Poroshenko issues appeal to world community over the ban of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis
The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, addressed the international community in connection with the decision of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Crimea, Natalia Poklonskaya, who was appointed by the Kremlin, on the suspension of the activity of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. The head of the State wrote on his Facebook page that the timely de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula is the only way to stop this anarchy, Krym.Realii reported.
“I appeal to the international community: Every day of occupation gives rise to new threats for the residents of Crimea. The only way to stop this anarchy is to put an end to the annexation of the peninsula and fully withdraw Russian occupation forces from Crimea,” Petro Poroshenko noted. Poroshenko called the decision to prohibit the Mejlis the next violation of human rights and freedoms.
"They are attempting to deprive the entire people of the right to vote and the ability to represent and defend their rights. This is the latest violation of basic human rights and freedoms that Russian occupation forces commit in the illegally annexed Crimea; this is a restoration of Stalin’s policy on the indigenous people of the Crimean peninsula,” the President of Ukraine noted, adding that these actions are motivated by the authoritarian fear of self-organization of free people.
On April 13th, Natalia Poklonskaya reported that she made a decision to suspend the activity of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People on the Crimean peninsula until a further decision could be made by the court. According to her, the Mejlis is not allowed to use state or municipal media, carry out public mass events, use bank deposits or carry out any work at all. The defense of the Mejlis has already stated that it will appeal this decision.
In February 2015, Natalia Poklonskaya brought a lawsuit to the Supreme Court of Crimea, controlled by Russia, on prohibiting the activity of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. The legal process on this lawsuit began in March. The next trial on this case was scheduled for the 15th of April. The leaders of the Mejlis predict that the court will most likely grant the prosecutor’s request.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly protested the actions of the Russians aimed at prohibiting the activity of the Mejlis. The United Nations called on the Russian Federation to prevent the closure of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People in Crimea. The European Union also expressed concern about intentions to prohibit the activity of the Mejlis.