Projects

All concerned citizens will be able to write a letter to illegally imprisoned Ukrainians who are being held by the occupation administrations in the occupied Crimea or deported to the territory of the Russian Federation. The campaign will last from April 27 to May 27. During the month, the organizers – the Mission of the President in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, PEN Ukraine and ZMINA – will collect letters and deliver them to the places of illegal detention of Crimean political prisoners.

The purpose of the Letters to a Free Crimea initiative is to remind about the Ukrainian prisoners of the Kremlin, to demonstrate that they are interested in and cared about.

A large number of letters is also an important message for prison administrations that a person cannot be injured or killed, because it will immediately become known to the public, so the organizers urge as many people as possible to join the campaign.

Letters can be addressed to the Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Nariman Dzhelal, civilian journalist Iryna Danilovych, athlete Uzeyir Abdullayev and other Crimean political prisoners, whose names can be found below.

“These are someone’s husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They are someone’s close friends. Two of mine – Nariman Dzhelial and Server Mustafayev – received almost maximum sentences on falsified charges. They are worthy sons of their people, talented journalists, good and honest people,” emphasizes the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the AR of Crimea Tamila Tasheva.

Each of the political prisoners continues to support Ukraine, even in the inhumane conditions of pre-trial detention centers or colonies. And now we can support them. With a word, a joke, a news story, a conversation about everything simple and everything complex.

“It is important that all Crimean political prisoners are released as soon as possible, because every day in a Russian prison is a great risk to life and health. To do this, it is necessary to continue to draw attention to those illegally detained in Russian prisons. Also, letters to political prisoners are a fight against the information vacuum in which Ukrainian prisoners are held. This is a great support for them,” says Maksym Sytnikov, Deputy Executive Director of PEN Ukraine.

The Ukrainian peninsula remains in the heart of every Crimean political prisoner, even if they are now in the most remote part of Russia. Despite the bars that restrain the bodies of illegally imprisoned Ukrainians, their souls and hearts are free. That is why all these letters will go to a free Crimea, to each of the Crimean political prisoners.

“More than one and a half hundred of our fellow citizens are imprisoned in the occupied Crimea or in Russia in politically motivated cases, most of them are Crimean Tatars. People are being persecuted because of their journalistic or civic activities, their position in support of Ukraine, their religious views or anti-war protests. After February 24, 2022, Russia significantly increased persecution and pressure in Crimea, but even before the full-scale invasion, 120 Kremlin prisoners were behind bars, some of them (such as Valentyn Vygivskyi or Viktor Shur) have been imprisoned since 2014. It is important for all of these people to know that Ukraine has not forgotten about them and is fighting for their release,” says Tetyana Pechonchyk, head of the ZMINA Human Rights Center.

Anyone who wants to take part in the initiative can send letters to a physical address or online from April 27 to May 27:

• Physical address (sending at the sender’s expense): Human Rights Information Center, PO Box B-539, Kyiv, 01001
• Email: [email protected]

Instructions for writing letters can be found here. When writing your letter, please indicate to which political prisoner you are addressing it. The list contains only those addressees whose location is known to us, which makes it possible to deliver the letters.

Organisers of the initiative:

• Mission of the President in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea
• PEN Ukraine
• Human Rights Center ZMINA

Additional information: Iryna Ivanchenko, 0997725667, [email protected]

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List of political prisoners you can write to

• Abdulvapov Ametkhan
• Abdulgaziev Tofik
• Abdulganiev Eskender
• Abdulkadyrov Vladlen
• Abdullayev Zavur
• Abdullayev Izzet
• Abdullayev Teymur
• Abdullayev Uzeyir
• Abdurazakov Osman
• Abdurakhmanov Medzhit
• Abdurakhmanov Ruslan
• Abiltarov Rustem
• Ablyamitov Medzhit
• Abseitov Zevri
• Abkhairov Arsen
• Adilov Bilal
• Aivazov Raim
• Aliyev Muslim
• Aliev Renat
• Alimov Refat
• Ametov Enver
• Ametov Ernes
• Arifmemetov Osman
• Asanov Ayder
• Asanov Marlen (Suleyman)
• Akhtemov Aziz
• Akhtemov Asan
• Babych Oleksandr
• Bazarov Farhod
• Bekirov Akim
• Bekirov Jebbar
• Bekirov Eden
• Bekirov Inver
• Bekirov Ramzi
• Bektemirov Vadim
• Bessarabov Alexey
• Belyalov Memet
• Bogdanov Oleg
• Vygovsky Valentyn
• Gaziev Servet
• Gafarov Dilyaver
• Heidt Sergey
• Gerasimov Artem
• Golubev Andriy
• Golubev Dmitry
• Goldenberg Valeria
• Gorelikov Vladimir
• Gorobtsova Irina
• Gugurik Rustem
• Davydenko Konstantin
• Danilovich Iryna
• Dzhapparov Aider
• Dzhelial Nariman
• Dzhemadenov Emil
• Dovgopolova Galina
• Dolgopolov Dmitry
• Dudka Vladimir
• Emiruseinov Rustem
• Eyupov Azamat
• Yesypenko Vladyslav
• Zhuk Yaroslav
• Zhukov Yevhen
• Pavlo Zaporozhets
• Zarivnyi Oleksandr
• Zakharov Dmitry
• Zakhtei Andrii
• Zeytullaev Ruslan
• Zekiryaev Lehman
• Zekiryaev Server
• Ziza Bogdan
• Ziyadinov Emil
• Ibragimov Ernest
• Ibragimov Ismet
• Ibragimov Timur
• Ibraimov Arsen
• Izetov Riza
• Ismailov Rustem
• Kabakov Sergey
• Kadyrov Edem
• Kayov Yuriy
• Calatayud Mariano Garcia
• Kantemirov Eldar
• Karakashev Yevhen
• Karimov Alim
• Kashuk Denis
• Kiselev Alexey
• Kovalskyi Serhii
• Kozlov Ivan
• Kolomiets Andriy
• Krosh Ekrem
• Krosh Enver
• Kuku Emir-Usein
• Kurtamet Appaz
• Lemeshko Gennady
• Doll Denis
• Maladika Volodymyr
• Mambetov Khalil
• Mamutov Aidyn
• Mamutov Enver
• Masharipov Yunus
• Mezhmedinov Nariman
• Memetov Remzi
• Mesutov Ruslan
• Muedinov Yashar
• Murasov Rustem
• Muratov Zekirya
• Murtaza Seyran
• Mustafayev Marlen
• Mustafayev Murat
• Mustafayev Server
• Nagayev Ruslan
• Novatsky Alexander
• Omerov Enver
• Omerov Riza
• Osmanov Ansar
• Osmanov Erfan
• Osmanov Rustem
• Officers Sergey
• Parkhomenko Leonid
• Prikhodko Oleg
• Reznik Konstantin
• Ryazanov Vitaliy
• Saganji Fevzi
• Sakada Vladimir
• Saledinov Aider
• Saliev Seyran
• Seydaliev Nasrullah
• Seydametov Lenur
• Seidametov Refat
• Seitabdiev Seitveli
• Seitmemetov Rustem
• Seytosmanov Enver
• Seytosmanov Ernest
• Seytumerov Osman
• Seytumerov Seytumer
• Seitkhalilov Rustem
• Sizikov Oleksandr
• Siruk Vadym
• Smailov Edem
• Stashevskyi Viktor
• Amet Suleymanov
• Suleymanov Eskender
• Suleymanov Ruslan
• Sufyanov Alim
• Sukhonosova Anna
• Tairov Rustem
• Tarapon Alexander
• Temerianov Vilen
• Umerov Shaban
• Umerova Lenia
• Fevziev Raif
• Fedorov Oleg (Ali)
• Filatov Sergiy
• Khayredinov Seyran
• Khalilov Igor
• Khalilov Lenur
• Tsyhypa Serhii
• Sheikhaliev Rustem
• Shiptur Mykola
• Shikhametov Yashar
• Schmidt Igor
• Shtyblikov Dmytro
• Yakymenko Volodymyr
• Timur Yalkabov
• Yanikov Asan
• Yatskin Ivan

For the Iftar with the participation of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy – for the first time in Ukraine at the official level – the Mission prepared a photo exhibition “Islam. Crimea. Ukraine” about Muslim soldiers who defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

The photo exhibition “Islam. Crimea. Ukraine” features photographs by photojournalists Alina Smutko and Taras Ibragimov, Mumine Salieva and other local activists who continue to cover human rights violations and political persecution in occupied Crimea. Portraits of Muslims of different nationalities, including women, who are currently at the front as part of the Armed Forces and volunteer groups. Stories of resistance and support of the civilian population of the occupied Crimea, which became a real rear for political prisoners.

The history of Ukraine’s relationship with Islam is primarily about Crimea, where the traditions of the Muslim faith are perhaps the oldest and most represented through the history of the Crimean Tatars, through such unique cultural monuments as the Khan’s Palace in Bakhchisarai.

On the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Parliament defined the status of indigenous peoples, the most numerous of which, the Crimean Tatars, is also the largest Muslim community in Ukraine. On the initiative of the President, certain Muslim religious holidays, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, were also granted state status.

Muslims serve in every fourth battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – in total, about 2% of the military profess Islam. Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians, Chechens, Azerbaijanis, Dagestanis, and Georgians. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Bashkortostan, and Tatarstan.

All of them are fighting for the freedom and independence of Ukraine, for the de-occupation of Crimea and the restoration of international law. They are fighting for a Ukraine that values its national and religious diversity. They are also fighting for the liberation of the Crimean peninsula, where there is a place for everyone except the occupiers.

This diversity can be preserved only in a democratic state, only with Ukraine’s victory. Together we will win!

The Mission of the President together with the “East Europe” Foundation created and launched the online course “ProKrym: State Policy of Reintegration of Crimea”.

The course is free of charge and available on the educational online platform “Zrozumilo” at the following link: https://cutt.ly/84Ry31U

Throughout all stages of the course development, the Mission’s team was engaged in the search and involvement of experts, structuring, content and editing. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who contributed to this important educational project!

The new online course “ProKrym” covers:

• The history of the Crimean Peninsula, in particular in the context of the development of indigenous peoples and Ukrainians;
• The main events and consequences of the occupation for the peninsula and its population;
• Key legal acts, Ukraine’s position on terminology and certain important issues related to the occupation;
• Crimean state authorities that are temporarily relocated and operate on the territory controlled by Ukraine;
• Positions of international institutions in the context of the temporary occupation of Crimea;
• International litigation between Ukraine and Russia.

The course was led by well-known Ukrainian journalists Vadym Karpiak and Iryna Slavinska.

Others invited Ukrainian experts and government officials commented on Crimea, including: Tamila Tasheva, Iryna Vereshchuk, Anton Korynevych, Ihor Ponochovny, Maria Tomak, Arsen Zhumadilov, Alyona Luneva, Olga Skrypnyk, and Andriy Ivanets.

Developed by well-known Ukrainian experts Daria Svyrydova and Yulia Tyshchenko.

This course is designed for civil servants, local government officials, politicians and ordinary citizens of Ukraine who are interested in public policy issues in the context of the temporary occupation of Crimea.

All lectures are accompanied by Crimean Tatar subtitles. After successfully passing the final test, students will receive a certificate with 0.2 ECTS credits.

The course was developed within the framework of the Project “Supporting the Crimean Platform: Time to Recall that Crimea is Ukraine”, implemented by the East Europe Foundation with the support of USAID – US Agency for International Development.

 

🇺🇦 Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and its student community in cooperation with leading Ukrainian and foreign universities and with the organizational support of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea / Office of the Crimea Platform are delighted to announce Crimea Academic Forum 2022.

Held online on 22 and 29 September, the Forum will become a platform for profound and unorthodox discussions on the issues crucial for the reintegration of Crimea and the restoration of historical justice for indigenous peoples.
Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and USAID Ukraine Human Rights in Action are also the partners of the event.

Among universities, the Forum’s partners include:
🔸 Ivan Franko National University of Lviv,
🔸 National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,
🔸 Tavrida National V.I. Vernadsky University,
🔸 University of Cambridge (UK),
🔸 Ukrainian Catholic University,
🔸 University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany),
🔸 Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University.

It will be divided into two online parts (scholarly and student) to be held in 22 and 29 September respectively.

The Forum will include 4 panel discussions:
🔹 The legal status of Crimea: Defining contours of national-territorial autonomy;
🔹 Vision for economic reintegration of Crimea: Rebuilding better?
🔹 Back to the roots: Restoration of indigenous Crimea in culture, language, and historical memory;
🔹 Overcoming the disaster: Artificially changed demographics, propaganda, and environmental degradation.

The Forum will be joined by renowned scholars and experts representing leading Ukrainian and foreign universities. The content of their discussions will be reflected in the final documents of the Forum.

Furthermore, an essay contest will be held for students on the topics of the Forum’s panel discussions. 20 authors of the best contributions will be invited to speak at the student part of the Forum on September 29. More details on the contest can be found in a separate announcement.

The purpose of the portal is to collect all documented and verified data on Russian aggression and share it with the widest possible audience.

The virtual museum publishes information on the activities of the occupation administrations in Crimea, crimes against human life and health, including Crimean Tatars, freedom of conscience and belief, state, public and private property, damage to the environment and cultural heritage of Crimea, regional and international security.

The portal was created by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the International Renaissance Foundation, the Prometheus Center for Security Studies and the Regional Center for Human Rights.

Please join us in disseminating this information in Ukraine and around the world.
Project website: https://rusaggression.gov.ua/

Ukraine remembers every crime of occupation.