Asked why the Crimean Tatars do not trust the assurances given them by Russia, the head of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov answered with a question: I’d like to ask you: would it be better that they discussed how you will live together BEFORE they broke into your flat, or AFTERWARDS?

On the eve of the referendum on the status of the Crimea declared unconstitutional by Ukraine’s Constitutional Court, the Crimean Tatars have reiterated their boycott of it and condemned Russian military aggression and plans to annex the Crimea

"Crimean Tatar protests in the context of what is presently taking place will have a multiplying effect, with EuroMaidan in Kyiv strengthening the demands of the Crimean Tatars and vice versa" - Ihor Semyvolos

The first and only Crimean Tatar TV channel ATR could end up without a broadcasting frequency and Crimean Tatars are convinced that politics is involved.

On extraordinary behaviour by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister and the Head of the Crimea demonstrating disregard for vital issues regarding the Crimean Tatar people, as well as for basic diplomatic etiquette

I would therefore encourage all participants ... to make efforts to ensure that an open and inclusive political process is in place. This means acknowledging both the importance of pluralism in the Crimean Tatar people, and the legitimacy and key role of such organisations as the Mezhlis of Crimean Tatars.

Ukraine’s Constitution mentions indigenous peoples several times, but there is no legal definition for the term nor is it stated which peoples can be considered indigenous

Yet another book has been published in the Crimea dredging up a long refuted lie about the Crimean Tatars.

On moves heightening division within the country, demonstrated even in controversial changes to the history syllabus and a book, published with local authority funding, which repeats Soviet lies about the Crimean Tatars. .

The Conclusions posted below to a report commissioned by the High Commissioner on National Minorities demonstrate the urgency of the issues presently facing the Crimea.

A book has just been published in the Crimea, partly with funding from the Kirov District budget, which dredges up the old lie, officially refuted even in Soviet times, bout alleged collaboration by the Crimean Tatars with the Nazis and effectively justifies the 1944 Deportation

Due to chronic underfunding from the State budget, the newspaper which is under the protection of the European Charter of Minority Languages, is in danger of closure.

Vladimir Andreev, Russian Federation Consul General in Simferopol, has apparently resigned following widespread anger over thoroughly offensive and defamatory statements about the Crimean Tatars, and acknowledgement from the Russian Foreign Ministry that the comments were inappropriate

It is not only Crimean Tatars who have been angered by the extraordinary comments from Vladimir Andreev, Russian Federation Consul General in Simferopol

On the 69th anniversary of the Deportation of the Crimean Tatars from their homeland, we join Crimean Tatars in remembering the Victims of a terrible crime. This year, however, the cynical actions of the authorities make vigilance and attention from beyond the Crimea vital.

On the 69th anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars from their homeland, we remember all those who died during the years of exile. They were victims of hunger, disease, cruel separation from families and unjust governmental policies

With only days remaining, and tension high, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People is urging members and observers of all diplomatic missions in Ukraine to come to Simferopol on 18 May, the 69th anniversary of the Deportation

The Mejlis is angered over the decision of the Crimean Parliament to to boycott the traditional celebration of Khydyrlez and organize their own festivities falling right on the days marking the 69th anniversary of the signing by Stalin of the decree ordering the Deportation of the Crimean Tatars

Present actions by the Simferopol and Crimean authorities appear aimed at using traditional remembrance events marking the Deportation on 17 - 18 May to provoke discord and disturbances

Highly worrying moves afoot in the Crimea suggest that concern back in November 2011 over the President’s quite staggering promotion of Anatoly Mohylyov to the post of Prime Minister of the Crimea was extremely well-founded