CrimeaSOS: The event “Remembering history — returning territory” was held in Kyiv for the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Crimean Tatars Genocide

On May 18, an event  “Remembering history — returning territory” was held in Kyiv for the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide . The Red Hall of Ukrzaliznytsia hosted representatives of NGOs, state institutions and all those who care about the tragic fate of the Crimean Tatars.

“Now russia continues this policy of the Soviet Union. The event that happened 79 years ago is a tragedy, a terrible crime that went unpunished and continues to this day”, — said Oleksii Tilnenko, Head of the Board of CrimeaSOS.

Since the beginning of the occupation, residents of Crimea have been victims of searches, detentions and persecution. Most of them are Crimean Tatars. 11 of the 15 victims of enforced disappearances in Crimea, whose fates are still unknown, before the start of the full-scale invasion, were Crimean Tatars.

“Now, despite the fact that there is neither freedom of speech nor most other rights in Crimea, it is the Crimean Tatars as citizen journalists who are trying to cover these events, defend their people, our people, try to defend Ukraine. I thank them for this and I hope that we will soon return to free Crimea and I hope that everyone will feel at home in free Crimea”, – added Oleksii Tilnenko.

During the event, the speakers discussed the issue of genocide and persecution of the Crimean Tatars, as well as the future of the Crimean Peninsula.

We shall remind you that on May 22, CrimeaSOS is organizing a charity screening and discussion of the film “1944. Crimea. Deportation” in Squat 17b. The funds collected at the event will be used for batteries for the 251 separate territorial defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.