On September 29, 2016 the Judicial Board on administrative matters of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation confirmed the legality of decision to recognise the public Association “the Majlis of the Crimean Tatar People” (hereinafter referred to as the Majlis) as an extremist organisation and to ban its activity in Russia.
This organisation, headed by RA Chubarov, which allegedly protects interests of the Crimean Tatars is actually dangerous and poses threat to life and human health, as well as to the activity of public authorities.
Extremist activity of the Majlis is proved by the facts that took place from 2004 to 2016 (destruction of the orthodox monastery property, blocking the activity of local governments and law-enforcement agencies). Thus, on May 3, 2014 in Armyansk (Republic of Crimea) it took a violent action against the staff of the Russian border service followed by capturing and holding a border checkpoint.
On November 22, 2015 after exploding tangent towers which supply the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol with electricity, members of the Majlis impeded their work that caused disconnection from power supply of the abovementioned subjects of the Russian Federation. The same year representatives of the Majlis along with the Ukrainian “Right Sector” (recognised as the extremist organisation according to the decision of the Russian Supreme Court from November 17, 2014) blocked transport communications which connect the Peninsula with Ukraine.
Recognition of the Majlis as an extremist organisation is based on public statements by its leaders from September 8, 2015 about imposing a blockade of the Crimea by blocking roads for cargo transportation and the subsequent blackout, as well as regular public calls of RA Chubarov for the actions aimed at violation of territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.
His statements are in particular: “for us war will end only when the Crimea becomes a part of the Ukrainian state”, “I am one of those who urges to prepare for the worst - for an open war with Russia”, “I would urge everybody at the meeting of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council on the Crimea in 2014 to declare a state of war with Russia”, “the military would be the first to enter when counter occupation phase begins”.
These statements were rightfully regarded as an appeal to violent acts, a manifestation of violent ideology for the purpose of intimidation of the population that is qualified as an element of terrorism and extremist activity. The decision of the Supreme Court Board on the future of the Majlis was proceeded from the illegality of creation and functioning of public associations which objectives and actions are directed at violent change of basis of the constitutional system and undermining of state integrity and security, creation of paramilitary units, fomenting of social, racial, national and religious strife.
The Judicial Board considered it necessary to draw attention to the fact that the Republic of Crimea possessed legal means of interaction between the state and society for protection of national interests of the Russian citizens in their choice of ways and forms of the national and cultural development. The Crimean Tatar culture is being protected and developed by the following institutions that are created and functioning in the territory of the republic: the Crimean Tatar library of Ismail Gasprinsky, the Crimean Tatar academic musical and drama theatre - the only theatre of the Crimean Tatar in the world, the Crimean Tatar museum of arts, the Crimean Tatar cultural and ethnographic centres “Kokkoz” and “Odoon-bazaar kjapusy”.
Moreover, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea passed on April 11, 2014 by the State Council of the Republic of Crimea, the Crimean Tatar language is a state language of the republic along with Russian and Ukrainian. The law “About holidays and significant dates in the Republic of Crimea” was adopted in December, 2014 to secure ethnic harmony on the Peninsula, consolidate the Crimean society, ensure genuine social and cultural development of ethnic groups, as well to promote culture, customs and traditions of the Crimean Tatar people.
According to it, four days off are announced in the Crimea on the occasion of religious holidays, they are the Muslim Uraza-bayram (Eidul Fitr) and Kurban-bayram (Eidul Azha) the orthodox Easter and the Trinity. Taking into account the above facts, the ban of the Majlis in connection with its ‘extremist’ activities cannot be considered as a disproportionate measure. Proceeding from the universal principles and norms of international law, international treaties of the Russian Federation, statements about the need to prepare for war with Russia, to maintain power blockade of the Crimean peninsula, to block the roads with the Republic of Crimea and to act in violation of territorial integrity of our country are nothing but appeals for hostility and violence. Such actions cannot and should not be under legal protection in any state, including the Russian Federation.