Maria Tomak, Head of the Crimea Platform Department, took part in the third video meeting with the coordinators of the International Crimea Platform

As part of the preparations for the Third Summit of the International Crimean Platform, Head of the Crimean Platform’s Support Service Maria Tomak took part in the Third videoconference with representatives of the foreign ministries of states and international organisations that are members of the International Crimean Platform. 

Maria Tomak spoke about the human rights situation in the occupied Crimea, but mainly focused on the strategies for the reintegration of the Crimean peninsula, which the Mission is working on. In particular, the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in the occupied Crimea were once again highlighted. These include the illegal mobilisation of Ukrainian citizens, including representatives of indigenous peoples, into the Russian army; the adoption of new repressive laws that affect the lives of Ukrainian citizens in Crimea; the illegal transfer of children from the occupied territories and their militarisation; and political persecution. The head of the Crimean Platform’s Support Service noted that at least 30 political prisoners are in critical health condition, and in early 2023, two Crimean political prisoners, Konstantin Shiring and Dzhemil Gafarov, died due to lack of proper medical care.

“A year ago, at the Second Summit of the Crimean Platform, we discussed the Strategy for the Restoration of Crimea, and this year, with the support of experts, we have developed another key document – the Strategy of the State’s Priority Steps after the de-occupation of Crimea, so that its residents have a clear understanding of what lies ahead,” said Maria Tomak.

The Head of the Service briefed the participants of the video meeting on the planned priority steps of the state after de-occupation. One of the important steps that the state has already begun to implement at the national level is the preparation of a personnel reserve for the de-occupied territories called the “Team of Crimea”. 

In general, the video meeting discussed the key elements of preparations for the Third Summit of the ICP, as well as the current situation in the occupied Crimea.