In an online statement, the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) expressed grave concern at serious allegations of intimidation and discrimination against Ukrainian speakers and Tatars in the Crimean region.
While not accepting the legitimacy of the Russian Federation takeover of the Crimean region, ECRI has called on the Russian Federation authorities to ensure protection of Ukrainian speakers and Tatars in Crimea.
ECRI also called upon the Ukrainian authorities to oppose firmly any discrimination against Russian speakers and other groups in the country.
ECRI is a human rights body of the Council of Europe, composed of independent experts, which monitors problems of racism, discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion and language (racial discrimination), as well as xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance, prepares reports and issues recommendations to member States.
See also :
Ukraine and the Council of Europe
