In May, a memorial rally dedicated to the anniversary of the forced deportation of the Crimean Tatar people was held at Ulus Square in the Turkish capital, Ankara. The event, organized by the Kırım Dernekleri Genel Merkezi association, brought together the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian diasporas to honor the memory of the victims of the genocide.
The rally was supported by the Ukrainian Embassy, members of the diplomatic corps, and Crimean Tatar organizations. Among the participants was Nariman Dzhelialov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Türkiye, who emphasized the importance of unity.
Participants held posters demanding the release of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar political prisoners from Russian prisons and expressed strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
In his speech, the Ambassador of Ukraine stressed that the memory of the victims of the Kremlin regime’s crimes would never be forgotten. He noted that Ukraine would continue its struggle to restore the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as to protect the rights of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people. Nariman Dzhelialov expressed sincere gratitude to the Crimean Tatar diaspora, the citizens, and the leadership of Türkiye for their solidarity, unwavering support for Ukraine, and consistent position regarding the protection of Crimean Tatar rights.
As part of the events marking the 82nd anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, a theatrical performance dedicated to the tragedy of May 18, 1944, was presented. The performance featured displaced Crimean Tatar children who were forced to leave the Crimean Peninsula and Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. “Together with the Ukrainian people, Crimean Tatars began resisting the occupiers. And today this struggle resolutely continues. In this fight, Crimean Tatars stand not only alongside Ukraine, but also on the side of democracy, international law, and freedom — against dictatorship, colonialism, and policies of assimilation,” stated Mukremin Shahin, Head of the Crimean Tatar Culture and Mutual Assistance Society in Türkiye.
In addition, an exhibition of reproductions of paintings by artist Rustem Emin, dedicated to the tragedy of the Crimean Tatar people, was opened in Ankara. A discussion panel titled “From Deportation to Occupation: Crimea’s 82-Year Experience” was also held. Students of Hacı Bayram Veli University attended a screening of the film Haytarma directed by Akhtem Seitablaiev.
Memorial events, prayers, and rallies were also held in other cities across Türkiye.
We remind that, by Stalin’s order, more than 238,500 Crimean Tatars were deported from the peninsula between May 18–20, 1944. Around 8,000 people died during the deportation journey. During the first three years, between 20% and 46% of all deported people died from hunger, exhaustion, and disease.
Author: Kateryna Samoilyk
Photo: https://qirim.news/ та https://www.ukrinform.ua/