AA15CR14ADD1

AS (2015) CR 14
Addendum 1

2015 ORDINARY SESSION

________________________

(Second part)

REPORT

Fourteenth sitting

Wednesday 22 April 2015 at 10 a.m.

Current affairs debate on

The political and security situation in Ukraine and its implications

The following texts were submitted for inclusion in the official report by members who were present in the Chamber but were prevented by lack of time from delivering them.

Mr DİŞLİ (Turkey) – The crisis in Ukraine is a strong reminder of why we need to strive relentlessly to uphold the values of the Council of Europe. The international community should put more effort into addressing the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and particularly the dire situation of the Crimean Tatars.

Turkey supports all efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, based on territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Ukraine. The military escalation in recent days in eastern Ukraine is a cause for concern.  The cease-fire must be honoured by all parties. In that regard, full implementation of the Minsk Agreements is urgently needed. According to the World Health Organization, the death toll in Ukraine is over 4 800. We need to ensure that this crisis does not claim more lives.

Turkey has expressed its strong political and economic support for the Ukrainian government. In this context, Turkey will extend a $50 million soft loan to Ukraine, as well as $10 million of humanitarian aid to IDPs in Ukraine. I firmly hope that international assistance to Ukraine increases as soon as possible. 

The situation in eastern Ukraine should not divert our attention from Crimea. The human rights situation in the peninsula is deteriorating. Crimean Tatars are undergoing pressure from the de facto authorities in Crimea. The arrest of Ahtem Çiygöz, the Deputy Chairman of Tatar Milli Majlis, in January, and the subsequent shutdown of the Crimean Tatar ATR TV in April demonstrate the constant pressure and intimidation exerted against the Tatar community. On 1 April 2015, Crimean Tatar media outlets, including the ATR television channel, the QHA news agency, the Avdet newspaper and others, were forced to cease their activities in Crimea by the de facto authorities of Crimea.

Amnesty International states: “This blatant attack on freedom of expression, dressed-up as an administrative procedure, is a crude attempt to stifle independent media, gag dissenting voices, and intimidate the Crimean Tatar community.”

Freedom of the press is a fundamental right of pluralistic and democratic societies. Crimean Tatars, Crimea’s main community, should enjoy their fundamental rights without suppression. In this regard, such suppressions constitute clear violations of the basic principles of the Council of Europe. The human rights situation in Crimea must be followed closely.