The panel discussion “Preventing Another Tragedy: the Plight of the Crimean Tatars” was participated by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Chaly, First Deputy Minister of Informational Policy of Ukraine (MIP) Emine Dzheppar, Director, Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center of the Atlantic Council, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.

The participants watched MIP’s documentary “Crimea. The Resistance” that tells about Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and alarms on the grave situation with the human rights, particularly of the Crimean Tatars. The film also shows a tragic story of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 ordered by Joseph Stalin.

Valeriy Chaly emphasized that Ukraine will never give up on its effort to return Crimea, as its reintegration with Ukraine will ensure the respect of human rights on the peninsula, including the rights of the Crimean Tatars and all other ethnic groups living in Crimea. He also stressed that the de-occupation of Crimea is necessary to restore the global order. Ukraine’s Ambassador thanked all 100 nations, who in March 2014 have voted in favor of UN Resolution “On the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine” and call on the U.S., EU and other partners to coordinate their efforts in this cause. Valeriy Chaly also underlined a need for an aligned strategy on the region and for a closer interaction between the Black Sea states.

Emine Dzheppar informed about ongoing repressions against the Crimean Tatars orchestrated by the Russian-controlled authorities, including numerous house searches, intimidations, abductions, arrests and killings. She called on the international community not to turn a blind eye on the events that can develop into another genocide on ethnic grounds in the very heart of Europe, as well as to root in another long-term spin of tyranny in the region.

John Herbst suggested that Ukraine and the West should further coordination their efforts to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Agnia Grigas, in her turn, warned against a possibility of turning Ukraine’s uncontrolled territories into frozen conflicts, which can trigger further spread of human rights violation, smuggling of drugs and weapons as well as spill-over of many other security threats in the region.  

Ambassador Valeriy Chaly also congratulated Ukrainians with victory of Crimean Tatar singer Jamala. He states that this victory goes beyond the show-business success, as it attracts the world’s attention to Crimea and Ukraine. 

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/pKsOwwfVMDg.