On March 17, 1995, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine on the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, marking a defining moment in establishing the peninsula’s legal status. This legislative act affirmed the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine, outlining its powers and governance framework within a unitary state. This year, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of this historic event.

The adoption of the law occurred against the backdrop of the early 1990s, a period of political transformation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Ukraine’s independence. Notably, during this time, the Crimean Tatar people—returning to their homeland in Crimea after their unlawful deportation by the Soviet totalitarian regime in 1944—actively advocated for the restoration of their rights, including self-governance and the re-establishment of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which had been created in 1922 and abolished in 1945 following the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.

On February 12, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR, based on the resolution of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On the Findings and Proposals of the Commission on the Problems of Soviet Germans and the Crimean Tatar People” from November 28, 1989, adopted a decision to restore the Crimean ASSR as part of the Ukrainian SSR. This decision was a significant step in determining the peninsula’s status amid the approaching restoration of Ukraine’s independence.

However, the political situation in Crimea remained unstable, marked by pro-Russian tendencies within the local government and legal uncertainty. On February 26, 1992, the Crimean ASSR was unlawfully renamed the “Republic of Crimea,” reflecting the political ambitions of the pro-Russian segment of the local elite. These changes were never legally recognized at the national level, further deepening the legal conflict.

On September 21, 1994, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine decided to replace the names “Crimean ASSR” and “Republic of Crimea” with “Autonomous Republic of Crimea,” as a political compromise aimed at preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The Law of Ukraine On the Autonomous Republic of Crimea of March 17, 1995, officially legitimized the name “Autonomous Republic of Crimea” and defined its status as a territorial autonomy within Ukraine.

It is important to note that the institution of autonomy is characteristic of unitary states, serving as a mechanism for decentralization and the accommodation of regional specificities. Unlike federal states, where constituent entities inherently possess autonomous status, unitary states establish autonomies to ensure self-governance for specific regions, considering their historical, cultural, and national characteristics.

The law outlined the powers of the governing bodies of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, their relations with Ukraine’s central authorities, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens residing in the region.

In particular, the law defined:

• The powers of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
• Matters under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, such as education, culture, healthcare, and local self-government;
• Guarantees of rights for national minorities residing in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
• The procedure for forming the budget of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the use of natural resources.

The adoption of this law was a significant step toward stabilizing the political situation in Crimea and strengthening Ukraine’s constitutional order. On June 28, 1996, the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) was incorporated into the Constitution of Ukraine, specifically in Chapter X, “Autonomous Republic of Crimea.”

During this period, the OSCE Mission to Ukraine (1994–1999) was crucial in regulating relations between the central and local authorities. In 1999, the OSCE Mission to Ukraine successfully completed its mandate, marking the first time in OSCE history that a field operation ended due to the successful fulfillment of its objectives.

The Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 was a blatant violation of international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. However, despite the temporary occupation, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea remains an inseparable part of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.