Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People

Canada’s House of Commons unanimously recognizes Sürgünlik – the mass deportation of the Crimean Tatar People from their homeland in 1944 by the Soviet Communist regime – was an act of Genocide against the Crimean Tatar People.

The motion, introduced by Member of Parliament Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre), and adopted unanimously, affirms that the House of Commons:

Recognizes that the mass deportation of the Crimean Tatars by the Soviet regime in 1944, known as the “Sürgünlik”, constituted a genocide against the Crimean Tatar people.

It designates May 18th of each year as Crimean Tatar Deportation (“Sürgünlik”) Memorial Day.
“The recognition of the Sürgünlik as an act of Genocide and the establishment of an annual Memorial Day in Canada is an important step in ensuring historical justice and education, and that this crime is always remembered. The Sürgünlik was an attempt by the Soviet communist regime to destroy the Crimean Tatar People, the Indigenous people of Crimea. But through their courage and determination, the Crimean Tatar People persevered, and preserved their language, culture and traditions,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “We are grateful to MP Baker for introducing this motion and to all parliamentarians for supporting it.”

Today, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, an integral part of Ukraine and the ancestral homeland of the Crimean Tatar People, suffers under illegal Russian occupation. The Crimean Tatar People are once again subject to systemic repression and attacks on their inalienable rights by a colonial Russian regime that seeks to subjugate Ukraine. Together with all citizens of Ukraine, the Crimean Tatar People bravely resist the Russian occupation of Crimea and defend Ukraine against Russia’s war of annihilation. With God’s help, the people of Ukraine will be victorious.