Ukraine is indignant at Russia's decision to ban former Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and lawmaker Mustafa Jemilev from entering Russia for five years. "Ukraine is outraged by Russia's decision to ban entry to a leader of the Crimean Tatars and a legendary human rights activist, Mustafa Jemilev," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry information policy department Yevhen Perebyinis reported. According to him, it is evident that this is "revenge on Jemilev for his clear position on the non-recognition of Crimea's occupation."
“It seems that Soviet-ear totalitarian methods, which the long-suffering people of Crimea survived during the Stalin deportations, today are being fulfilled by the present Russian government,” Perebyinis said.
He called it “manifestation of xenophobia, chauvinism, and national intolerance” adding that the Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry demands of those, who illegally seized power in Crimea, and from Russian side to stop intimidations, repressions against Crimean Tatar, Ukrainians and representatives of another nationalities, who live in Crimea.
As Perebyinis said, in view of this fact on April 22 Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry send a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry where it expressed concern over such actions of the Russian side demanding that it refrain from such steps, as well as cancel relative decision against Jemilev.
Moreover, Perebyinis added that the Ukrainian party was concerned about harassment of the national and cultural rights of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, and the implementing of systematic policies designed to eradicate Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar culture,” the representative of the ministry reported.
Besides, the ministry’s spokesman said there was pressure on those of the peninsula residents who don’t wish to accept Russian citizenship.
“They were given conditions that effectively put them in a hopeless position and could lead to their forced deportation from their native land,” Perebyinis said.
He said that inter-ethnic tension in Crimea was increasing, including vandalism of monuments, prosecutions and intimidation of local journalists, along with pressure on the Crimean Tatar media.
“The Crimean occupation in fact restricted the right of its citizens to movement, caused shortages of basic foods, and uncontrolled price growth,” he added.
