“Crimea. 11 years of resistance”: a peninsula of fight for freedom 

Russia’s war against Ukraine began with Crimea. The occupation has been ongoing for 11 years, accompanied by systematic and brutal oppression and persecution of the disloyal population. Russia’s efforts to bring the peninsula under total control have resulted into11 years of unwavering resistance by the people of Crimea. 

To highlight the stories of resistance and remind us of the ongoing human rights situation on the peninsula, the Public Organization “CrimeaSOS” with the support of the Ukrainian Voices RC, will hold the event “Crimea. 11 Years of Resistance” on February 25th in Brussels. Maintaining the focus of the international community’s attention on the issue of Crimea is crucial for restoring justice. 

Guests at the event will watch the film “Crimea: Resistance” which offers a view of the first weeks of the occupation through the eyes of a foreign researcher who witnessed the real state of affairs on the peninsula. 

How did the residents of Crimea consciously choose to support Ukraine despite the risks? The documentary not only debunks the myth of the “non-violent annexation” of the peninsula but also emphasizes the need for systematic resistance to Russia’s crimes at the international level. 

The event will include a discussion during which representatives of Ukrainian state institutions and human rights activists will highlight human rights violations and the history of the population’s resistance during the 11 years of Crimea’s occupation. They will also analyze the most common repressive practices. Experts will share their experience documenting crimes in Crimea and raise the issue of effective mechanisms for holding those involved in the persecution accountable. 

17:00 – Opening remarks 

• Oksana Diakun – Deputy Head, Mission of Ukraine to the European Union  
• Olga Kuryshko – Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (online) 
• Nariman Dzhelal – First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, former political prisoner (online) 

17:15 – Screening of the film “Crimea. Resistance”, which offers a view of the first weeks of the occupation through the eyes of a foreign researcher who witnessed the real state of affairs on the peninsula. 

17:40 – Discussion: “Crimea. 11 Years of Resistance,” with the participation of: 

• Svitlana Valko – Program Manager on Ukraine, International Partnership for Human Rights 
• Yevheniy Yaroshenko – Analyst, CrimeaSOS (online) 

Experts will discuss: 

• situation with the human rights violations in Crimea 

•  history of the population’s resistance during the 11 years of Crimea’s occupation 

• analyze the most common repressive practices 

• experience documenting crimes in Crimea 

• effectiveness of mechanisms for holding those, who are involved in the persecution, accountable 

18:00 Q&A 

18:15 Action “Letters to a Free Crimea” 

During the event, everyone will have the opportunity to join the open-ended initiative of writing letters to political prisoners, “Letters to a Free Crimea.” This action is an opportunity to support the faces of resistance and their families, showing that political prisoners are not alone, as the Ukrainian state and the world are fighting for their release. 

Date and time: February 25, 5:00 PM 

Location: Ukrainian Voices RC, Rue de la Loi, 89, Brussels, Belgium