UWC supports nomination of Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemiliev for 2016 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes and supports the nomination by the European Parliament of former Chairperson of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar PeopleMustafa Dzhemiliev for the 2016 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament to honour individuals or organizations for their efforts to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mustafa Dzhemiliev, former Chairperson of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, is a Member of Parliament of Ukraine. The former Soviet dissident, currently barred from entering Crimea by the Russian Federation that has illegally occupied the peninsula, has become a symbol of the right of every individual to live in freedom and dignity in a world where justice and rule of law prevail.

“Awarding Mustafa Dzhemiliev the 2016 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought would recognize his life-long dedication to the defence of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the Crimean Tatar people, and raise awareness of the continued oppression by authoritarian regimes of many peoples to this day,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.