Appeal by the World Tatar Council on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repression

Today, the progressive world observes the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repression. Unfortunately, their numbers continue to grow year after year. They are victims of the arbitrary rule of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. Their only crime was fighting for freedom and democratic ideals. Many of our fellow Tatars are among them, persecuted for their convictions, faith, and commitment to the truth.

These persecutions did not begin today. Their history stretches back centuries. The Tatars, like other colonized peoples of the Russian Empire, were subjected to systematic persecution, exile, and repression. Only the Almighty knows how many suffered this fate.

The Soviet authorities went even further. During the Great Terror, Stalin's regime virtually wiped out an entire generation of Tatar intellectuals. Yet it failed to break the people's spirit in their pursuit of freedom or strip them of their dignity.

However, the persecution of Tatar activists did not end after this tragic period in history. Nor has the present day been an exception. Putin's system has set out to match Stalinism in the scale of its atrocities and repression. Dissent has been elevated to the level of treason against the state.

Today, our heroes and freedom fighters languish in the dungeons of the Moscow regime. Among them are Azat Miftakhov, Engel Fattakhov, Fazyl Valiakhmetov, and many other daughters and sons of the Tatar people.

We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience! We never forget them, not even for a moment. And we will continue fighting for their freedom. Freedom cannot be different or divided. It is one and the same for everyone. And we will spare no effort or sacrifice in the struggle to achieve it.

Azatlık! (Freedom!)