On 2 December, the solemn closing ceremony of the First Congress of the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine was held. The Congress became a platform for discussing key challenges and for strengthening international advocacy, as well as humanitarian, cultural, and economic support for the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

More than 150 participants took part in the Congress, including representatives of Indigenous peoples, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, journalists, experts, and members of international organisations.

During the closing ceremony, the moderators announced the joint resolution of the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine, which covers both national and international dimensions. At the national level, Indigenous peoples call for the full implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine”, official recognition of the status of their representative bodies, such as the Mejlis, and the development and implementation of a national strategy for the sustainable development of the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine, among other priorities.

At the international level, the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine seek comprehensive support in safeguarding their rights during the Russo-Ukrainian War and regular monitoring of the observance of these rights. In addition, the resolution calls on the UN and the OSCE to develop special action plans and humanitarian response mechanisms, as well as to create joint international programmes of humanitarian, cultural, and economic support for the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

Following the announcement of the resolution, the leaders of Ukraine’s Indigenous peoples congratulated one another and exchanged gifts, including a plate by Crimean Tatar ceramic artist Rustem Skibin, a prayer book, and crystal Sabbath candles, which women traditionally light on Friday before sunset.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, words of gratitude were addressed to the participants by the Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Refat Chubarov, and the Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelenskyi.

We express our gratitude to all participants and partners for taking part in the Congress. It became a space for new ideas and for the unbreakable will of the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine, who preserve their identity despite occupation and unlawful persecution. We also thank the speakers who continue to speak the truth about Russian crimes and who together are shaping the roadmap for the future of a free Crimea.