We condemn the raids, in which armed officials were reportedly involved, against the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (MCTP) building, the legitimate representative body of the Crimean Tatar community living in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) the indigenous people of the peninsula, as well as the houses of some members of the MCTP on 16 September 2014.

Such actions aimed at intimidating the Crimean Tatar people, who stand up for their democratic rights through peaceful means, by exerting pressure on the MCTP are unacceptable. We are confident that the international community will not remain silent against such attempts aiming to add new chapters to the painful history of the Crimean Tatar people.

Turkey will continue to closely follow the developments in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and especially all the measures and implementations targeting the Crimean Tatar people in particular.