VP/HR — Crimean Tatars

10.4.2014

Question for written answer E-004451-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Barbara Matera (PPE) , Tunne Kelam (PPE) , László Surján (PPE) , Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (PPE) , Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández (Verts/ALE) , Mitro Repo (S&D) , Marian-Jean Marinescu (PPE) , Oreste Rossi (PPE) , Lara Comi (PPE) , Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid (PPE) , Bernd Posselt (PPE) , Dubravka Šuica (PPE) , Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė (PPE) , Cristiana Muscardini (ECR) , Iuliu Winkler (PPE) , Seán Kelly (PPE) , Salvador Sedó i Alabart (PPE) , Elmar Brok (PPE) , Charles Tannock (ECR) , Rolandas Paksas (EFD) , Filip Kaczmarek (PPE)

With the recent developments in Crimea it is important to ensure that the rights of minorities are not undermined, particularly the rights of Tatars in Crimea, whose suffering culminated when Stalin forcibly deported them from their homes in Crimea to Central Asia. There are about 300 000 Crimean Tatars, making up 12% of the Crimean population. As they are torn between their loyalty to Ukraine and the reality of their situation in being occupied by Russia, the EU needs to maintain pressure on Russia without ignoring or hurting the Tatars.

What steps does Vice-President/High Representative Ashton intend on taking to ensure that the rights of the Crimean Tatars, such as religious education and use of their own language, are protected?

OJ C 435, 04/12/2014