Human rights activists have warned of a worsening campaign of harassment in Crimea against Crimean Tatars, including political arrests, trials and kidnappings.
Crimean Tatars lived in the area for centuries before it was settled by either Russians or Ukrainians, but now make only about 13% of Crimea’s population. During Russia’s 2014 annexation of the region, the Crimean Tatars largely boycotted the hastily organized referendum, and community leaders called for Crimea to remain part of Ukraine.
