Resolution on the 11th year of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Crimea, notably the cases of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov

The European Parliament adopted by 446 votes to 25, with 51 abstentions, a resolution on the 11th year of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Crimea, notably the cases of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups and members.

Crimean journalist and human rights defender Iryna Danylovych was abducted in 2022, accused of possessing explosives and sentenced to 6 years and 11 months of imprisonment. NGO activist Tofik Abdulhaziiev was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in a maximum security prison on trumped-up charges, and since 2023 is being held in a prison some 2 700 km away from Crimea. In addition, citizen journalist Amet Suleymanov was sentenced to 12 years of prison in 2021. Many other Crimeans continue to be persecuted.

Against this background, Parliament condemned:

- the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by Russia;

- Russia’s continuous targeting of ethnic Ukrainians and systematic persecution of indigenous Crimean Tatars;

- the persecution of journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders and the deportation of civilians including political prisoners from Crimea to penitentiary institutions across Russia, contrary to international law.

Members demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov and other political prisoners and called for immediate medical care to be provided.

The international community is called on to continue its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and for sanctions against individuals and legal entities involved in the illegal annexation to be strengthened.