Ukraine Remembers Crimean Tatar Genocide: A Legacy of Deportation and Ongoing Struggle

On May 18, Ukraine commemorates the victims of the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars, a tragedy that continues to resonate today. The event, recognized as genocide by the Verkhovna Rada in 2015, saw nearly 200,000 people forcibly removed from their homes in Crimea and sent to remote regions of the USSR. Many perished from hunger and disease. "Today, Crimea is again occupied," stated a Ukrainian official in a recent video released by the Rada TV channel. "We see persecution, repression, arrests, and torture." The video includes archival footage depicting the brutality of the 1944 deportation. The Verkhovna Rada recently issued an appeal to the international community to honor the victims and unite in defense of the rights of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians living under occupation. This act underscores the ongoing struggle for justice and the enduring legacy of this historical tragedy.