Turkey supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and underlines on all platforms that the recovery of occupied territories, including Crimea, is a requirement of international law.
This issue was discussed in a meeting between the vice president of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Nariman Dzhelyal, who is visiting Turkey, and President Erdoğan’s senior advisor, Yalçın Topçu.
“Turkey, which supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, also constantly advocates on all platforms for the recovery of the occupied territories, including Crimea, as required by international law. Turkey is committed to ending the occupation and the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as in Gaza and Lebanon, actively contributing to regional and global peace for the future of all humanity,” Yalçın Topçu said.
Nariman Dzhelyal spoke about the situation in Russian-occupied Crimea and described persecutions, human rights violations and crimes against Crimean Tatars on the peninsula. This is Dzhelyal’s first visit to Türkiye since his release from Russian captivity.
“Searches and arrests occur constantly. Detainees are sentenced to long prison terms in inhumane conditions… There have been cases of political prisoners over 60 years of age appearing before the court in poor health,” Dzhelyal said.
Participants expressed hope that Turkey, particularly through President Erdoğan, would help free the Crimean Tatars, who are held captive in Russia on trumped-up charges, as well as other prisoners of war and Ukrainian civilians.
“In addition to the release of political prisoners, we also talk about our prisoners of war and civilians, who endure brutal conditions to defend their homeland and defend their beliefs. In this sense, the coordination of the efforts of the State and civil society is essential. In Ukraine, public organizations make great efforts to protect the rights of citizens,” said Counselor of the Ukrainian Embassy in Türkiye, Denys Zolotariov.
Representatives of the ZMINA Human Rights Center also attended the meeting.
As previously reported, Nariman Dzhelyal, deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, has pledged to join efforts for the release of all Ukrainian prisoners, particularly his fellow Crimean Tatars.
