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On 16 May 2025, in Warsaw, Poland, in commemoration of 81 years since the deportations of Crimean Tatars, the Latvian Embassy hosted a discussion on the recognition, commemoration and addressing the consequences of deportations of small-numbered nations. In parallel, an exhibition was also opened of reproductions of works by the Crimean Tatar artist Rustem Eminov, “Don Not Forget”, which reflect the experiences of the deportees.
At the opening of the event, Ambassador Juris Poikāns emphasized: “The deportation of Crimean Tatars is a tragedy reminiscent of similar suffering experienced by many small peoples, including Latvians, during the Soviet regime’s deportations. This historical experience brings to mind and highlights the need for the rule of law and international solidarity – values that Latvia actively advocates when standing in election for the UN Security Council, advocating respect for international law and bringing the aggressor to account.”
The participants of the discussion were addressed by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, the Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Refat Chubarov, and a representative of the Crimean Tatar House, Barbara Kaczmarczyk.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, Vasil Bodnar, pointed to the significant and unflagging support of the Latvian government and the people to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression. He highlighted the importance of Latvia’s leadership in international formats and support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal to hold the aggressor accountable. The Ambassador also mentioned the visit of Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to Lviv as a significant gesture of solidarity demonstrating Latvia’s presence and support in difficult times.
Refat Chubarov thanked Latvia and its people for their continued support in commemorating the deportation of Crimean Tatars and for contribution to strengthening international solidarity. He recalled that the Latvian Saeima was the first to recognise the deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide.
We commemorate the deportations of Crimean Tatars from 18 through to 20 May 1944, when 47,885 families of Crimean Tatars – 193,865 people including 92,000 children under the age of 16 – were deported to Central Asia (Uzbekistan and various regions of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan). Over 30 thousand people died from hunger and disease within a year. This was genocide perpetrated by the Soviet Union against the Crimean Tatars.
The participants of the event at the Latvian Embassy in Poland expressed solidarity with the Crimean Tatar people and strongly condemned the human rights violations committed by Russia in Crimea since its illegal occupation in 2014.
Around 50 cooperation partners attended the event, including ambassadors from the EU and NATO member states, as well as non-resident ambassadors accredited to Latvia and members of the Crimean Tatar diaspora in Poland.
The event was organised as part of the public diplomacy programme in support of the lobby campaign of Latvia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council. Latvia is a first-time candidate for an elected seat, and its campaign runs under the motto of “Together for peace and resilience”. Membership of the UNSC will be a key instrument in pursuit and protection of Latvia’s foreign policy interests and enable Latvia to expand its international cooperation, thereby contributing to world peace and resilience.