On 1 July 2021, four years ago, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law “On Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine,” initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The law was signed by the President on 21 July and entered into force on 23 July of the same year. This document officially recognized the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks as Indigenous peoples who formed on the territory of Crimea, have no other state beyond Ukraine, and preserve their own language and culture. The law identified them as autochthonous communities, proclaimed principles for the protection of their rights, and granted the opportunity to establish their own media and educational initiatives with state support.
The law is based on the Constitution of Ukraine and international documents, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Its adoption marked a historic milestone: for the first time in Ukrainian legislation, the right of Indigenous Peoples to develop their language, education, and culture; to establish their own media; and to participate in decision-making processes affecting their future was enshrined.
The adoption of the law carried not only legal but also clear political significance. After Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014, the Crimean Tatars became a symbol of resistance: they openly refused to recognize Russian authority and called on the international community to support Ukraine. In response, Russia launched a wave of repression, searches, and arrests, and banned the activities of the Mejlis.
In 2021, the situation shifted amid growing international initiatives, most notably the Crimea Platform. In May of that year, President Zelenskyy submitted the draft law as urgent. Despite resistance from the Kremlin, the Ukrainian authorities emphasized that the law aligns with the Constitution and international standards.
Following its adoption, the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine received tangible legal tools: the opportunity to create their own educational programs, schools, and media, and to participate in international events. The law explicitly prohibits assimilation, forced relocation, incitement of hatred, or any other actions aimed at destroying the cultural integrity of these peoples. A portion of the revenue generated from the use of resources in Crimea is allocated to support their needs.
Following the adoption of the law, the state increased its support for Indigenous Peoples. In February 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a strategy for the development of the Crimean Tatar language for 2022–2032. In November 2023, a working group was established with the participation of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to develop a new Latin-based Crimean Tatar orthography, expected by September 2024. In May 2025, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, together with the Mission, launched an online educational platform for residents of temporarily occupied Crimea, offering courses in both Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar. Also in 2023, the government approved the concept for the Unity in Diversity program through 2034, which provides state support for cultural and educational initiatives of Indigenous peoples, including through open grant competitions of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
The adoption of the law marked the beginning of a series of practical steps. In 2024, the President of Ukraine issued a decree establishing the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity, to be observed on 21 May. In May 2025, Kyiv hosted the first-ever UNIDAY festival dedicated to this occasion, where Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks, alongside other communities, presented their cultural heritage.
The state also expanded its support for cultural initiatives. In 2025, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation launched a new program Culture of the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine, aimed at preserving and promoting the heritage of Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Mission has actively developed draft legislation aimed at protecting the rights of citizens in the occupied territories, including representatives of Indigenous peoples. It has coordinated efforts with international partners through the Crimea Platform and has intensified sanctions and pressure on the Russian Federation.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Mission consistently submitted proposals for the inclusion of individuals involved in the persecution of Indigenous representatives in sanctions lists. As a result of evidence-based documentation and cooperation with international institutions, a number of judges and officials from the occupation regime were added to national and international sanctions lists.
The Mission also supports the activities of representative bodies of Indigenous peoples and facilitates the participation of their delegations in international forums, consultations, and events related to the policy of Crimea’s de-occupation.
Following the de-occupation of Crimea, one of the key priorities will be supporting local communities — by ensuring access to education and information, and by fostering the development of linguistic and cultural environments.
The Law On Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine is not only a response to historical injustice, but also a step toward a future where diversity is recognized as a strength, not a threat. It lays the foundation for a new state policy in which the voices of Indigenous peoples are not only heard but also taken into account when making decisions that affect their future. Combined with state-led initiatives, international solidarity, and the active engagement of the communities themselves, this law serves as a crucial element on the path toward the restoration of Ukrainian Crimea — free, democratic, and multicultural.