First Deputy Minister Emine Dzhaparova informed about the situation around Russian armed aggression against Ukraine and blatant violations of international law and human rights by the Russian occupiers, and thanked the international community for support of Ukraine in the struggle for its territorial integrity.

She stressed that Ukraine and the representatives of the Crimean Tatar people stood up to defend not only their homeland, but also their identity, traditions, culture and language.

Emine Dzhaparova informed about the constant violations of the rights and freedoms of the representatives of the Crimean Tatar people by the Russian occupation administration in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.

First Deputy Minister stressed that "the Crimean Tatar language is one of the endangered languages and the Russian occupiers in Crimea are constantly restricting its use."

Emine Dzhaparova noted that Russia continues its illegal policy, bans the leaders of the Majlis from entering the territory of the Crimean peninsula, fabricates the charges against them, and prosecutes them. She stressed that "the practice of political persecution of all those who have the courage to resist the Russian occupation of the peninsula has long become normal in Crimea." 

During the speech, First Deputy Minister paid attention to numerous violations of international law by Russia, including the fact of illegal conscription of Crimean Tatars to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and they are forced to leave Crimea and move to mainland of Ukraine.

Emine Dzhaparova stressed the importance of the adoption of the Strategy for the Development of the Crimean Tatar Language for 2022-2032 by the Government of Ukraine, which aims to create all conditions for the restoration, preservation and development of the Crimean Tatar language.

First Deputy Minister called on the international community to continue to take measures and increase pressure on Russia in order to force it to end its armed aggression against Ukraine and liberate all temporarily occupied territories.

For reference: The 21st session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will take place from 25 April to 6 May, 2022. The theme of this year's session is "Indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent".

During the session issues related to all six areas of the Forum: economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights will be discussed. Speakers will include the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Effects, the Chair of the UN Voluntary Fund, representatives of governments and civil society, leading international and non-governmental organizations and indigenous peoples.