SIMFEROPOL
A UN peace mission should be urgently deployed to prevent bloodshed in Crimea, demands the Mejlis of Crimean Tatars.
The plea comes after the pro-Russian groups occupied the Crimean parliament who voted for integration with Russia last Thursday. The Crimean parliament’s decision to join Russia is deemed one that is taken “under pressure from militias and in open violation of international law and the Ukrainian constitution” a statement from the Mejlis (executive body) of Crimean Tatars stated.
The statement addressed worldwide Crimean Tatar institutions, Muslim civil society organizations and human rights advocate groups to condemn Russia’s de-facto occupation with protests in front of Russian foreign missions and through representatives around the world.
It also called on the international community - the EU, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to support peace in Crimea.
Crimea’s parliament who voted last Thursday in favor of joining Russia, calls for a referendum on the region’s future with Ukraine on March 16. Its decision comes as Russian armed forces continue to maintain their presence on the peninsula.
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