Speech by first Deputy permanent representative Dmitry Polyansky at a meeting of UN security Council members on the "Arria formula" on human rights issues in Crimea.
"Gentlemen, the organizers!
In the explanatory note for today's event, you write that it should allow those present here to get first-hand information about the situation on the Peninsula.
We sat and listened intently. This is not the first time we have attended such events. So where are these "first hands"? When were these people last in Crimea? And if they were in the Russian Crimea, which is now in question? We tried to correct this flaw, which, of course, devalues the entire meeting today. A number of Crimeans, the Deputy Mufti of Crimea, the head of the Ukrainian community of the Peninsula, and the permanent representative of the Republic to the President of Russia were invited to participate via video link in writing. They were ready to speak today, but, unfortunately, they were denied participation under the ridiculous pretext that there are so many briefings. So you just don't want to hear information about the real situation in Crimea.
Instead of the people I mentioned who could really tell us what is really happening, people who do not represent any of the Crimeans reported today, and the last time they were in Crimea, when the Peninsula was subordinated to Kiev. How can they give an adequate assessment of life on this Russian territory? What is the "added value" of the tales we have heard today?
I said at a similar meeting last year that your "arriyas" on the subject of Crimea are more and more like a meeting of science fiction writers. Even with an emphasis on those who write horror novels. Today, this trend is even more evident.
We heard new stories. Naturally, people who hear them can't verify or refute them. And, unfortunately, they take it all at face value. This could be done right now by representatives of the Crimea, but you refused them the opportunity to Express their point of view.
However, there is one feature of today's meeting that I would like to draw attention to. And it is not in favor of the organizers. Mr. Chubarov, who is present here, publicly announced his intention to organize the so-called "March of dignity" on may 3 — did I remember correctly what it is called? In fact, this is an attempt to mass cross the Russian-Ukrainian border in Crimea. I think no one has any doubts about the possible consequences of such a provocation and how illegal this step is. I have not heard a single objection or critical comment on this issue today, from which I conclude that all the representatives of Western States who have spoken to me will in fact be complicit in this action, and perhaps even cover it up. And this is very remarkable, because these are already serious consequences of such a meeting.
We have repeatedly said that we should base our assessments on facts, not speculation. Today, many people again claimed that they had no opportunity to come to Crimea. I ask again: why? Who's stopping you? Crimea is an open Russian region, where everyone can come if they comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation. I would also like to say to the representative of OHCHR, who has already left us: we said from the very beginning that we would be happy to see representatives of OHCHR in Crimea. We confirmed this in writing.
Moreover, I honestly do not understand what problems they have with coming to Crimea. Are you suggesting that we need to buy tickets for you? It looks indecent — after all, adults. Everything is done very simply: plane-airport-Crimea. No problem.
A kind of leitmotif of today's meeting was the thesis about the occupation of Crimea. This is also remarkable. I would like to ask everyone to think about what is occupation? For example, the Ukrainian SSR was occupied by Nazi troops during the Second world war. There was a punitive Sonderkommando, who fought with the guerrillas. They, relying on local collaborators, who are now being elevated to the rank of national heroes in Kiev, quenched any discontent. The result of their activities is the death of a total of 8 to 10 million Ukrainians, Russians, Jews, poles, and all others who resisted the new government. These are not fantasies, but facts confirmed many times, including by the Nuremberg Tribunal.
Or, for example, some North-Eastern regions of Syria are still occupied by American troops, who, as President trump put it, "save oil there." We have not heard that entry to these regions is free, that they are visited by tourists. This is really called occupation.
And now, let's take the Crimea. Last year, it was visited by 7 million tourists from Russia, Ukraine and other countries. 7 million with a population of 2.5 million and more Ukrainians are coming, now about a million. Many of those who visit Crimea publish a huge number of entries in social networks, photos, and reviews. This year, rail, passenger and freight services were added to the regular road service on the Crimean bridge. We can expect that the flow of tourists will grow even more. I want to emphasize that there are no closed areas for tourists to visit on the Peninsula, there are no prohibitions on contacts with Crimeans.
Where are the punishers, I ask you? Where are the partisans resisting the occupation? Where are the occupiers in Crimea?
Apparently, for you, the occupiers are 2.5 million Crimeans who live on their land and are quite happy with their lives, speak Russian, Ukrainian, and Crimean Tatar, and have no problems in this regard. Once again, come and see for yourself. The doors are open to everyone. Who from those who sits in a hall, was in the Russian Crimea? This conversation is about nothing. Arrive.
This situation, when there is no annexation or occupation, but a thriving Russian region, whose residents have made their choice in favor of Russia and in strict accordance with the UN Charter, is like a "bone in the throat" for those whom you invited. And for those of you who cover the actions of Ukrainian nationalists and the undisguised Russophobia of the Maidan authorities. Hence, of course, this anger at their former compatriots and to protect them from the Maidan lawlessness of Russia. This anger and hatred runs like a red thread through all your performances.
I didn't want to react to what was said, but I would like to mention a few points. Mr. Chubarov, I would like to disappoint you. You said that there is only one Crimean Tatar TV channel, but this is not true. In total, about 50 Crimean Tatar media outlets, including television, are currently operating on the Peninsula. And this is immediately evident when you come to Crimea.
I will not comment, again, on data on education, harassment, etc.You could have compiled these data in the same way "on your knee" somewhere here in the hall. They have nothing to do with reality.
Several people mentioned the forced, paramilitary upbringing, if I remember correctly, of Crimean children. Mentioned the program "Uname". In General, a strange statement of the question — we are talking about, in fact, scouting classes. I don't think scouts are banned anywhere. But for comparison, I just wanted to share with you information that was once transmitted by CNN, Euronews, and the Washington Post about the children's nationalist camps "garta Volya" (in the Ternopil region) or "azovets" (near Kiev). Journalists who visited them saw that there are children who are only 8 years old, including girls. One of them was interviewed.
She said the following: "we need to target the separatists and the "Moscow occupiers", because they are not people." Mentors in these camps are Ukrainian nationalists. Euronews, for example, stated that students receive training not only on the ideals of the Ukrainian rebel army, but also on the principles of "white Europe", i.e. racism. This is called paramilitary education of young people. If someone is interested, you can dig further, but I'm not sure you're interested.
Returning to our presenters today, I would like to say that, frankly, I am very sorry for you, gentlemen, former Crimeans. Over the past 6 years, you have completely lost contact with Crimea and are saying hackneyed "cliches". And you can't help but understand that Crimeans don't believe you, because your words have nothing to do with reality. This is why you are forced to play the role of pseudo-human rights defenders that your Western patrons demand today, thereby setting the stage for new accusations against Russia and the Crimeans. This role is very unenviable, I really feel for you. And the Crimeans would give you their assessment if they were given the floor today, but we have not heard the Crimeans here today.
You, gentlemen, the speakers themselves abandoned their homeland — the Crimea, the success of which you do not want to miss. And don't blame anyone but yourself. Remember the hate-mongering Russophobic speeches from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada after the Maidan coup with threats to the Crimeans and the entire Russian-speaking population of Ukraine. Remember the so-called "friendship trains" with heavily armed nationalists that Kiev was going to send to pacify the Crimea. Remember the burned buses with Crimean activists returning from Kiev, where they tried to peacefully Express their point of view on what is happening.
Finally, remember the humiliation of the Berkut fighters who honestly performed their duty to protect the constitutional order and order and were subjected to persecution and humiliation for this.
And remember, finally, the "foam" of Bandera's executioners and Hitler's accomplices, which is still trying to wash away the memory of those who liberated Ukraine from fascism and brought it freedom and the right to life.
And thank for all this those irresponsible politicians who thoughtlessly lit a fire of civil hatred and Russophobia on the Maidan in 2014. Its flames scorched many Ukrainian regions and burned peaceful protesters in Odessa, for which no one has been punished so far. It also spread to the Donbass in the fire of a fratricidal civil war. And instead of putting out this flame, you are fanning it, including with such propaganda actions as today's. Playing along with the geopolitical interests of a number of external players, who are still betting on causing maximum damage to Russian-Ukrainian relations.
Crimeans will give their assessment of your actions.
Thank you for your attention."
