This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.
The undersigned members express their grave concern over the
series of disturbing violations of the rights of Crimean Tatars
and their leader Mr Mustafa Dzhemilev by the self-proclaimed pro-Russian
Crimean authorities including:
- pressure exerted on Mr Mustafa Dzhemilev who has been banned
from entering Crimea by the self-proclaimed Crimean authorities
because of strong support for Ukraine’s unity and criticism of the
actions of Russia’s leadership;
- unlawful detention of Mustafa Dzhemilev’s son, Mr Hayser
Dzhemilev, as a hostage of the occupying authorities of Crimea and
Russia in violation of Article 5 of the European Convention of Human
Rights for exerting additional pressure on the leader of Crimean
Tatars;
- frequent unlawful searches in Crimean Tatars’ homes and
offices, groundless criminal proceedings, obstacles to free disposal
of their property, restrictions put on the exercise of the right
to peaceful assembly.
We call upon the Russian authorities to respect the rights
of Crimean Tatars and urge the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe to insist that Russia respects its obligations as a member
State of the Council of Europe.