The Crimean peninsula has been occupied by Russia since 2014 in violation of international law. Since then, the Crimean Tatars have been systematically persecuted. Thousands have had to flee. Hundreds are in prison. Especially the political leadership of the Crimean Tatars, but also lawyers, journalists and activists are in acute danger. A climate of fear characterizes their everyday lives.

The Russian government has deliberately changed the demography in Crimea in such a way that the proportion of the Russian population has risen sharply. Crimea has been developed into a huge military base. From here, Russia is waging its war against Ukraine, and Crimean Tatars have also been drafted into military service in the Russian army in violation of international law.

In Ukraine, in Europe and other places of exile, Crimean Tatars are trying to preserve their language, culture and even their identity as a people.

The Society for Threatened Peoples documents human rights violations against Crimean Tatars, campaigns for the release of those arrested, and supports Crimean Tatars in Germany with events, advice and support for their own activities. 

Status: October 2023