President Ersin Tatar issued a written statement on the 77th anniversary of the mass  deportation of the Crimean Tatar Turks from their homeland and expressed his support and solidarity for them.


President Tatar's statement is as follows:

“On this 77th anniversary of the mass deportation of the Crimean Tatar Turks, we again commemorate the incident with sadness which is a black mark in the world history and a great crime against humanity.  On May 18, 1944, Crimean Tatar Turks living in the Crimean Peninsula were expelled from their homes by the Soviet Union forces at gunpoint and exiled to Central Asia. Thousands of elderly, women and children lost their lives whilst emigrating and were put into labour camps.


Whilst all the rights and interests of the Crimean Tatar Turks were violated, the illegal annexation of the Crimean Autonomous Republic by Russia in 2014 also caused additional suffering.


Faced with the aspiration to unite Cyprus with Greece (Enosis), attacks were staged by Greek Cypriot forces against the Turkish Cypriot people, who suffered in exile and forced emigration during the period of 1963-1974.  Turkish Cypriot people continue to stand by the Crimean Tatar Turks whilst they continue with their struggle despite everything and we shall continue to show our solidarity and share their pain.


On behalf of myself and the Turkish Cypriot people, I sincerely wish that the Crimean Tatars will attain their freedom and independence and that the suffering they have endured since 1944 will come to an end.  Furthermore, I commemorate with respect the martyrs who lost their lives in exile, whilst emigrating and in labour camps.  May they all rest in peace.”