First Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Olena Kovalska, and Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky held a meeting with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp.
The Ukrainian side expressed gratitude for the expert support provided by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner.
Christophe Kamp noted that Ukraine ensures the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples in accordance with European and international standards. He also assured his readiness to continue providing all necessary assistance, including expert support.
The meeting separately addressed issues related to the Crimean Tatar people. Today marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea and 12 years since the beginning of the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. The Ukrainian side spoke about systemic human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea, forced transfers, and the effective repetition by the Russian occupation regime of the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people and other national minorities.
At least 284 people have faced prosecution in temporarily occupied Crimea, including 159 representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. Ukraine calls for increasing international pressure on Russia to secure the release of all those it holds in captivity.
The meeting also discussed the need to support the national identity of Ukrainians who, due to Russia’s war, were forced to seek temporary refuge abroad. Olena Kovalska emphasized the importance of opening Ukrainian schools and centers to support Ukrainians in their countries of residence.
This is already the second visit of Christophe Kamp to Ukraine since his appointment to the position in December 2024.