Crimean Tatars

Russia sentences Crimean Tatar Diana Havryliuk to 12.5 years over alleged donation to Ukraine’s military
News - 01 November 2026

Russia sentences Crimean Tatar Diana Havryliuk to 12.5 years over alleged donation to Ukraine’s military

 The ruling was handed down by the Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnodar in Russia. The court also imposed a fine of 150,000 roubles (about $1,860 or €1,670) and 1.5 years of restriction of liberty following the end of her prison term

Italian political scientist Antonio Stang calls for release of jailed Crimean Tatar journalist Amet Suleimanov
News - 24 October 2026

Italian political scientist Antonio Stang calls for release of jailed Crimean Tatar journalist Amet Suleimanov

Suleimanov was a video reporter for the Crimean Solidarity civic initiative in Bakhchysarai. Health problems meant he mostly documented court hearings, particularly trials of Crimean Tatars

Over 60 delegations confirmed for Crimea Platform summit in London
News - 23 October 2026

Over 60 delegations confirmed for Crimea Platform summit in London

The parties discussed the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the human rights situation in occupied Crimea, and the status of Crimean Tatar political prisoners, some of whom have serious health problems and are held in Russian prisons

Citizen journalist Asan Akhtemov has spent five years in Russian captivity
News - 03 September 2026

Citizen journalist Asan Akhtemov has spent five years in Russian captivity

For a time, reading helped Asan cope with the hardships of imprisonment. Poor lighting has caused his eyesight to deteriorate significantly. He cannot currently undergo the eye examination he needs at the colony. Despite his prolonged imprisonment, Akhtemov continues to write letters

Ukraine’s indigenous peoples face repression and erasure of identity under Russian occupation, Mejlis chairman says
News - 24 August 2026

Ukraine’s indigenous peoples face repression and erasure of identity under Russian occupation, Mejlis chairman says

The Mejlis chairman Refat Chubarov noted that Ukraine's state policy must include assisting people living in the occupied territories and preparing for the de-occupation of the peninsula to integrate a liberated Crimea into Ukraine's legal and political space

Crimean Tatar women facing aggression in occupied Crimea, rights advocate says
News - 08 August 2026

Crimean Tatar women facing aggression in occupied Crimea, rights advocate says

At least two attacks on Crimean Tatar women in temporarily occupied Crimea over the summer of 2026: one was threatened with a knife, and neighbours attempted to tear off another's headscarf, Crimean Tatar human rights defender and journalist Lutfiye Zudiyeva reported

Russia designated U.S.-based Crimean Tatar Foundation an “undesirable organisation”
News - 05 August 2026

Russia designated U.S.-based Crimean Tatar Foundation an “undesirable organisation”

Russian prosecutors also claim that the Crimean Tatar Foundation organises lectures, conferences and exhibitions covering the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its war against Ukraine

The first issue of the Crimean Tatar newspaper Qırım was published 37 years ago
News - 07 July 2026

The first issue of the Crimean Tatar newspaper Qırım was published 37 years ago

According to available estimates, between 2021 and 2024 alone, the occupation authorities imposed at least 658,000 Russian roubles in fines on the newspaper, its Editor-in-Chief and its founder

Crimean political prisoner Lenur Khalilov, who has cancer, is in critical condition
News - 03 July 2026

Crimean political prisoner Lenur Khalilov, who has cancer, is in critical condition

More than two months ago, Khalilov was transferred from a penal colony to a regional hospital run by Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service in the Arkhangelsk Region (Oblast). However, the prescribed treatment has yielded no results, failing to halt the progression of the disease or alleviate his pain

US Human Rights Commission calls for release of Crimean Tatar journalist Rustem Sheikhaliyev on his 47th birthday
News - 23 June 2026

US Human Rights Commission calls for release of Crimean Tatar journalist Rustem Sheikhaliyev on his 47th birthday

Russian security forces detained Sheikhaliyev during mass searches of Crimean Tatar homes in March 2019. At the time, more than two dozen people were arrested simultaneously in occupied Simferopol and surrounding areas

Citizen journalist Vilen Temerianov returned to Rostov pre-trial detention centre after a month in hospital
News - 15 June 2026

Citizen journalist Vilen Temerianov returned to Rostov pre-trial detention centre after a month in hospital

The journalist also needs to undergo a CT scan and is expected to be hospitalised again for this procedure

Quran confiscated from citizen journalist Seiran Saliiev in Russian penal colony
News - 04 June 2026

Quran confiscated from citizen journalist Seiran Saliiev in Russian penal colony

Alongside the confiscation of the Quran, Saliiev has been repeatedly placed in a punishment cell. According to his family, since 2024, he has effectively been held in continuous solitary confinement, where he is punished even for minor formal violations, including an unbuttoned uniform or an allegedly improperly made bed

On Genocide Remembrance Day, Mejlis calls on international community to protect Indigenous rights, support Ukraine
News - 18 May 2026

On Genocide Remembrance Day, Mejlis calls on international community to protect Indigenous rights, support Ukraine

The authors of the statement noted that history demonstrates a tragic continuity, as the Crimean Tatar people have once again become victims of repression and persecution

Russia abducts at least 17 Crimean residents, holds them incommunicado for months – Irade human rights initiative
News - 02 May 2026

Russia abducts at least 17 Crimean residents, holds them incommunicado for months – Irade human rights initiative

Monitoring conducted by the Irade between February 2025 and May 2025

Zelenskyy joins Muslim soldiers for Ramadan Iftar
News - 03 March 2026

Zelenskyy joins Muslim soldiers for Ramadan Iftar

The Head of State thanked all the defenders present, their brothers- and sisters-in-arms, for defending Ukraine and Ukrainians, strengthening our country, and being part of the shared strength of an independent Ukraine

Just peace in Ukraine must fully protect territorial integrity — UN Secretary-General António Guterres
News - 21 February 2026

Just peace in Ukraine must fully protect territorial integrity — UN Secretary-General António Guterres

António Guterres emphasized that a just peace in Ukraine must fully ensure the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and the relevant UN resolutions.

Crimean political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziev has begun losing consciousness due to significant deterioration of his health condition
News - 08 January 2026

Crimean political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziev has begun losing consciousness due to significant deterioration of his health condition

The Crimean Tatar is being held in solitary confinement, so if he becomes unwell, there is no one to help him

Human rights activists have identified 25 individuals involved in the persecution of citizen journalist Remzi Bekirov
News - 04 January 2026

Human rights activists have identified 25 individuals involved in the persecution of citizen journalist Remzi Bekirov

Those implicated in Bekirov’s persecution include Russian judges, prosecutors, and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers. A journalist and activist with the "Crimean Solidarity" movement, Bekirov has faced harassment since 2017. Following his arrest in 2019, he was held in Russian pretrial detention centers and penal colonies under inhumane conditions, subjected to forced transfers and psychiatric evaluations, and denied the full right to a legal defense