Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve and advance the heritage of the Crimean Tatars – Ukraine’s indigenous people of Crimea, through global advocacy, preservation of history and culture, and protection of our people’s rights through educational, research and political activities.

LEARN MORE

Mission Statement

Our mission is dedicated to preserving and advancing the heritage of the Crimean Tatars – Ukraine’s indigenous people of Crimea. We serve as a global advocate documenting our history, protecting our cultural legacy, and championing our people’s rights through education, research, and political advocacy.

LEARN MORE

DONATE

X-IX BCE

Crimean Tatars have roots tracing back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Their ethnogenesis originated by 28 nations and ethnic groups of the Crimean Peninsula and Northern Black Sea region, including Taurians, Cimmerians, Scythians, Hellenes, Sarmatians, Alans, Goths, Khazars, Pechenegs, and Cumans. (Y. Vozgrin, 2013)

1055

Historical records indicate that the Crimean Tatars, with their capital city in Eski Qırım, have been present in Crimea since at least 1055 CE. (Adam Naruszewicz, 1788)

1441

The Crimean Khanate alone existed as an independent state for over 350 years, with approximately 90 rulers, each of whom was depicted on the coins of the Crimean Khanate Mint. (Donald Rayfield, 2024)

1783

The first occupation of the Crimean Khanate by the Russian Empire marked the beginning of the systematic and methodical destruction of the Crimean Tatar People, their heritage, culture, and archival documents. (H.Kirimli, 2022)

1783

“Mass Drowning of 10,000 Crimean Tatars by Catherine II's Order” - this act that Raphael Lemkin, classify as genocide. Lemkin, R. (1953). Soviet Genocide in the Ukraine. New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The Raphael Lemkin Papers, Box 2, Folder 16.

1917

Establishment of the National-Territorial Republic of the Crimean Tatar People-Nation Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia, November 3, 1917 (G.Bekirova, 2017)

1921

October 8, 1921 - the Statehood of the Crimean Tatars existed in the model of the ASSR (the principle of national integrity and equality of the Crimean Tatar people was proclaimed). The principles of land ownership were restored. (V. Lenin, 1921)

1921-1923

"The Great Famine (1921-1923) in Crimea claimed approximately 100,000 lives, with 76,000 being Crimean Tatar people-nation, representing 76% of the total death toll. (V.G.Zarubin & A.G.Zarubin)

1944

Forced exile of the Crimean Tatar people-nation from their homeland. (Rome Statute of ICC (2002); UN Convention on Genocide (1948) The genocide of the Crimean Tatar People by the Soviet Union (Russia) resulted in the deaths of 46.2% of the population, with 80% of those who died being children. (Z.Bekirova, 2013)

2014

The second occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation has brought about a new wave of persecutions, repression, murders, intimidation, abductions of Crimean Tatars, torture, and imprisonment sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years. (OSCE, 2023), (Grabovsky, 2022)

1783 - Present

Since 1783, the Crimean Tatar people have experienced the consequences of colonialism from Russian settlers, which manifested in both internal and external forms of colonialism. (A. Engelhardt, 2022).

LETTERS TO FREE CRIMEA

“The systematic destruction of the Crimean Tatar people began with the mass drowning of 10,000 Crimean Tatars ordered by Catherine the Great” – marking the first documented case of genocide in the Russian Empire. This historical finding, documented in Lemkin’s 1953 work, establishes a direct link between Imperial Russian and Soviet policies of genocide against the Crimean Tatar people, demonstrating a continuous pattern of ethnic destruction that persists to this day.

RAPHAEL LEMKIN

The founder of genocide studies and architect of the UN Genocide Convention

When we tell the story of our people, we do more than shed light on history—we build a bridge between the past and the future. This is our contribution to the world.

ZERA QARASHAYSKAYA & ZAREMA MUSTAFAIEVA

Academic Scholars at Purdue University / CEO "Crimean Tatar Foundation USA"

In 1441, Haji Mehmed Giray, the descendant of Genghis Khan and the heir to the legacy of the Golden Horde, was elected as the first Khan of the Crimean Khanate, which encompassed the Crimean Peninsula, the Northern Black Sea region, and the Kuban. The Khan forged a military-political alliance with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Rus. For 300 years, the Muscovite state paid tribute to the Crimean Khanate.

SERHIY GROMENKO

Ph.D. in History

The 1921-1923 famine in Crimea claimed approximately 100,000 deaths, with 76,000 Crimean Tatar victims, representing 76% of the total death toll, demonstrating the disproportionate impact on the indigenous population. Zarubin, V.G. & Zarubin, A.G. (1995). Golod v Krymu (1921-1923) [The Famine in Crimea (1921-1923)]. Klio (Simferopol), 1(4), 34-38. Based on Central State Archive of Crimea (CSAC), F.P-1. Op.1. D.592.

ZARUBIN A.G. & ZARUBIN V.G.

Leading Historians of Crimea, Institute of Oriental Studies

“Don’t consider your issue to be solely domestic. Seek assistance from the global progressive community and international organizations. What was done to you in 1944 has a very specific term. It’s pure genocide – one of the gravest forms of crimes against humanity…”.

PETRO GRIGORENKO

Major General of the Armed Forces of the USSR, Human Rights Activist

CRIMEA. On a schoolyard in occupied Crimea, a grou