Csaba Sógor on collective stigmatization outside and within EU Member States
A state regarding its own indigenous national minorities as foreign bodies can lead to social tensions – stated Csaba Sógor in Strasbourg during the debate on the situation of Tatars in the Crimean Peninsula. The DAHR MEP also pointed out that, unfortunately, collective stigmatisation of communities occurs even within the European Union.
The decision of Crimea's Supreme Court to identify the Crimean Tatar Majlis as an extremist entity was also on the agenda of the MEPs on Thursday. As per the decision of the Russian Ministry of Justice the association, representing the interests of the Tatar minority, was placed on the list of social and religious extremist organizations.
The MEPs tabled a resolution urging Russia to retract the decision that stigmatises the entire Crimean Tatar community. The MEPs stressed that Russia is bound by international treaties to protect the citizens of Crimea and to respect human rights and that the use of double standards is unacceptable against any community. In the opinion of Csaba Sógor this act clearly shows which direction Russian policy is headed towards. "The entire Crimean Tatar minority has been collectively labelled as extremist and a threat to Russia. At the same time, Russian leadership calls for more rights for the Russians living in the eastern part of Ukraine" – pointed out the MEP, who believes that Russian actions against the Tatar minority in Crimea discredit the country’s actions in favor of Russians in Ukraine.
The RMDSZ MEP stated: “We should stand up against any country trying to collectively label an indigenous national minority living within its borders as extremist. Sadly, there have been such attempts also in the European Union. We should firmly disapprove such moves.”
