The UN Security Council held an informal meeting to discuss events in Crimea with representatives of Crimean Tatars on 31 March. Leader of Crimean Tatars Mustafa Jemilev criticised the March referendum, which was boycotted by the Crimean Tatars, in which the Russian community voted to join Russia. Jemilev questioned the legitimacy of the referendum. “How can referendum be held on the occupied land?” Jemilev asked, adding that “the Crimean referendum violated Ukrainian law”.
Crimean Tatars will hold their own referendum, said Jemilev. “Our referendum will be open and we ask for international observers,” he added. Jemilev said he is happy with Turkey’s position on Crimean issue. “Prime Minister Erdogan spoke to Putin and acknowledged that Crimean Tatars are Turks’ relatives and that Turkey will not remain passive if something happens to them”.