Crimea is a peninsula on south of Ukraine immersed in Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Crimea, being one of the most beautiful and rich places in the world, possesses convenient and geopolitically important location. The one who rules Crimea – rules the whole Black Sea. Nowadays, the potential of Crimea for further economic development is obvious.
This land became a motherland for a Crimean Tatar nation, which developed and took shape here. This process lasted for many centuries and was influenced by number of agents. The national identity and ethnical unity were strengthened under rule of medieval state of Crimean Khanate (1443-1783). The Khanate used to be a political, military and trade leader of the region in XVI-XVII centuries. However decline of economic development in the XVIII century caused weakening of the state power on international arena. In 1783 native people of the peninsula temporarily lost their state, but gained feeling of being one single nation with tremendous cultural and historical heritage. The rule of Russian Empire on Crimean land lasted till 1917. Despite all highly detrimental efforts of the Russian chauvinists to destroy the First Nation of Crimea in XVIII century, in 1917 Crimean Tatars experienced revival of national movement. Government body Qurultay (National Assembly) was created. In 1918 it was swamped in blood. “Red terror” started. The leader of Qurultay, Noman Chelebijihan, was severely tortured, literally quartered and thrown to Black Sea. Communists’ barbarian ceaseless cruel actions towards the aborigines reached apogee under Stalin’s regime. In 1944 the whole nation was accused on assistance to occupants and deported to Middle Asia. After the “empire of evil” collapsed the Crimean Tatars, who contributed a lot to slacken the system, returned to Crimea. After more than 70 years the National Assembly was reestablished. In 1991 2nd Qurultay officially opened its first session.
Nowadays Crimean Tatars comprise significant segment of the peninsula’s population. The indigenous people of Crimea struggle for realization of its right to self-determination. Perceiving the Crimean Tatars as a national minority taking into account the historical background and today’s international law is unacceptable.