No:126, 23 April 2014

We condemn the storming of the Crimean Tatar National Assembly building and the physical assaults perpetrated against the officials of the Assembly by a group of militia on 21 April on the pretext of taking down the Ukrainian flag. We find it also disquieting for the safety of the Crimean Tatar Turks that the local police force who were on duty around the building during the attack refrained from taking any measure and merely observedthe scene.

We have repeatedly emphasized our sensitivity relating to ensuring the safety and security of the Crimean Tatar Turks who have always expressed

their views and put forward their demands on peaceful grounds, in the context of the crisis in Ukraine, particularly the de facto situation which has emerged. We expect that the perpetrators of this attack are brought to justice and necessary measures are taken for preventing its reoccurrence, as soon as possible.

On the other hand, Turkey supports the efforts of Mr. Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu, leader of the Crimean Tatar Turks, who visited the Crimean Tatar National Assembly on 19 April, to ensure the continued existence as well as the rights and interests of our Tatar cognates in Crimea where they constitute anindigenous people. We find the difficulties that he encounters in entering and exiting his motherland Crimea as well as the offending statements of the local authorities concerning his above mentioned visit disconcerting from the point of view of peace, tranquility and security in the peninsula.

In this vein, we hope that the news published yesterday (22 April) to the effect that the entry of Mr.Kırımoğlu to Crimea has been banned will prove to be mistaken, and wish to remind the significanceof peaceful efforts of Mr.Kırımoğlu,leader ofthe Crimean Tatar Turks, for finding a solution to the crisis.