“We’re once again stating that Turkey doesn’t recognize the illegal referendum, held on March 16, 2014 in Crimea, as well as the illegal annexation of the peninsula by the Russian Federation, which is rude violation of the international law”, the statement said (Radio Liberty).
The Turkish Foreign Office reiterated that two years after the annexation, the situation with human rights at the peninsula only gets worse.
“The facts of pressure and separatist policy towards various ethnic groups, especially Crimean Tatars, found reflection in reports by delegations that the international community sent to the peninsula. The situation continues to be the reason for concern. We once again repeat our call for stopping this policy of pressure”, reads the statement.
Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the UN and international human rights watchers have repeatedly said that Crimean Tatars are being oppressed by pro-Russian authorities of Crimea. The latter call these statements “Western clichés”.
In March 2014, the so-called referendum took place in Crimea, which was meant to define the status of the peninsula. Based on its results, the Russian Parliament ruled that Crimea becomes a part of Russia. Designed and perpetrated by the Kremlin, the referendum was condemned and refuted by Ukraine, the EU, the United States and the majority of other countries.
