Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars appeals to government over Russian repression in Crimea

The Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars has sent a formal appeal to Global Affairs Canada, urging Ottawa to respond to systematic human rights abuses that Russia inflicts in the temporarily occupied Crimea Peninsula.

The appeal denotes widespread arbitrary detentions of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian civilians, politically motivated arrests, fabricated “terrorism” charges, torture, denial of medical care, and inhumane detention conditions.

According to the organization, victims include Crimean Tatar activists, journalists, human rights defenders, elderly people, women, and parents of large families.

“Many political prisoners are being held in critical health conditions. Some suffer from cancer, tuberculosis, heart disease, strokes, and other life-threatening illnesses, yet are deliberately denied adequate medical treatment. In several cases, continued imprisonment poses a direct and immediate threat to life,” the appeal states.

The letter also says that Russia’s actions constitute serious violations of international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Association emphasizes that the pattern of detentions in Crimea reflects collective repression against the indigenous Crimean Tatar people that are aimed at suppressing civic, cultural, religious, and journalistic activity.

The Canadian Association of Crimean Tatars called on the Canadian government to publicly condemn Russia’s politically motivated persecution in occupied Crimea, demand immediate access to independent medical care for all political prisoners, advocate for the unconditional release of critically ill, elderly, and unlawfully detained civilians, and strengthen international pressure, including monitoring mechanisms and targeted sanctions.

“Silence enables these crimes to continue,” the organization said.

The appeal also includes a list of political prisoners who are in critical health conditions and require urgent release.