Thread by @IneBackIversen

🧵1: The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people has issued a powerful statement—and it deserves the world’s attention.

They categorically reject any attempt to recognize Russian control over Crimea.

Because Crimea is Ukraine.

2. Let’s be clear:
Any recognition of russian occupation in Crimea is not just wrong, it’s a violation of international law, of Ukraine’s sovereignty and of the rights of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.

3: if the world accepted russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, we go against every law created to protect us! It would be a violation of the;
• UN Charter
• Helsinki Final Act
• UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Multiple UN General Assembly resolutions

4. It would also mean:
• Undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
• Denying the Crimean Tatars their right to self-determination.
• Justifying centuries of crimes and genocide committed against them.
• Encouraging today’s ongoing ethnocide.

5. And Let’s talk about that ethnocide russia is committing:
• Mejlis (their representative body) is banned
• Crimean Tatars face mass repression, arrests, torture
• Their culture and heritage are being erased
• Russian settlers are being moved in to change the demographic

6. Recognizing russia’s occupation also sets a terrifying precedent!
It tells every dictator that they simply can;

“Invade, annex, kill, and wait it out. The world might just accept it.”

That destroys the post-WWII system of peace and global security.

7. The Mejlis is crystal clear:

There is only one legitimate path to peace: complete de-occupation of Crimea and all Ukrainian territories.

Anything else risks catastrophic consequences for indigenous peoples and international law.

8. They now call on the world to take stronger action:
• More military & economic aid to Ukraine
• Tougher sanctions
• Legal support for victims of Russian repression
• Political and diplomatic pressure on russia.

Basic elements that should have been implemented years ago!

9. A reminder of the 2018 Crimea Declaration by the US:
“The United States rejects russia’s attempt to annex Crimea & will maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.”
It’s absurd, especially given the growth of the aggression, to change this position!

10. The Mejlis’s position remains firm:
• Crimea is Ukraine!
– Crimean Tatars are Indigenous people of Ukraine!
• No agreement on Crimea without Ukraine & the Crimean Tatars!
• No recognition of the occupation, ever!

11. They will continue to work with the UN, EU, NATO, OSCE, and others through the Crimean Platform @crimeaplatform to ensure full de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea into Ukraine.

12. This is more than politics.
It’s about justice.
History.
Respect of international & humanitarian laws.
And the right of a people to live free on their own land.
Support Ukraine.
Support Crimean Tatars.
And remind everyone, every single day; Crimea is Ukraine.

🔱 Adding yesterday’s thread regarding the resistance of Ukrainians before/during and after russias illegal invasion of Crimea.

Please have a look and share if you care to 💙💛

https://twitter.com/inebackiversen/status/1915336002891026719

🔱 here’s another important thread about the history of Crimean Tatars and specifically the sürgünlik.
A genocide I think absolutely everyone should learn and know about.

https://twitter.com/inebackiversen/status/1791779590781935788

🔱 My summary from the press conference of the 3rd Summit of the international Crimea platform, which I hope people can find both informative and helpful.

https://twitter.com/inebackiversen/status/1694022507664224516

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