On July 7, 1989, the first issue of the Crimean Tatar newspaper Dostluq (Friendship) was published, marking a significant milestone 35 years ago. Today, this publication, now known as Qırım, faces active persecution by the Russian occupation authorities.

Dostluq was the first post-deportation newspaper published in the Crimean Tatar language in Crimea. Initially distributed by subscription and sold in retail, the editorial board eventually stopped kiosk sales. The newspaper’s publication frequency varied from one to three times a week.

Originally, Dostluq was funded by the Crimean regional budget, later by the budget of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and since 2004, by state subsidies from the State Committee on Nationalities and Religion (SCNR). In 2005, the newspaper began publishing a supplement, Qırımqaraylar (Crimean Karaites), which covered events in the Karaite community. The newspaper’s circulation was 4,000 copies twice a week until May 2011, when it temporarily ceased due to the SCNR’s liquidation. Publishing resumed in July 2011.

After Russia’s occupation of Crimea, Qırım faced significant challenges: the editorial office lost funding and had to reduce publication frequency. The Russian authorities offered to integrate Qırım into the Hasprynskyi Media Center, but the newspaper refused to preserve its financial and informational independence. Editor-in-chief Bekir Mamutov noted that the editorial office received a media registration certificate from Roskomnadzor in Spring 2015 but received multiple warnings during the occupation.

Qırım has consistently addressed issues related to the Crimean Tatars, one of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples, highlighting human rights violations and reprinting relevant news and international publications about Crimea.

In 2021, the Russian occupation administration’s so-called “court” fined Bekir Mamutov for publishing a UN Secretary-General report mentioning the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, which was banned by the Russian authorities in 2016. International organizations supported the newspaper.

In 2024, harassment of Qırım continued: On May 17, the eve of the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide, Russian security forces raided Bekir Mamutov’s home, conducted a search, and forcibly took him and another employee, Seiran Ibrahimov, to the editorial office, where they were also searched and their equipment confiscated. This action was triggered by an article discouraging Crimean Tatars from fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Mamutov now faces charges under two administrative articles: “discrediting the Russian Armed Forces” and “failure to provide or untimely provision of information on the receipt of funds.” Despite these challenges, Qırım continues to be a vital voice for the Crimean Tatar community, advocating for their rights and preserving their cultural heritage.