Petition to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the adoption of the Draft Resolution on recognizing the Republic of Tatarstan as an independent state!

1. On March 21, 1992, a referendum was held on the state status of Tatarstan. In response to the question:
   “Do you agree that the Republic of Tatarstan is a sovereign state, a subject of international law, building its relations with the Russian Federation and other republics and states on the basis of equal treaties?” — 61.4% of participating citizens voted in favor.
   International observers were present at the referendum. Prior to the vote, Ildus Sadykov, a member of the Presidium of the All-Tatar Public Center, traveled to the United States, addressed Congress, and brought three U.S. congressmen to observe the referendum.
   These members of the U.S. Congress witnessed the process firsthand. The legitimacy of the referendum was confirmed by the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
2. Based on the referendum results, the Supreme Council of Tatarstan adopted the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan on November 6, 1992. According to Article 1, this was the constitution of an independent state:
   “The Republic of Tatarstan is a sovereign democratic state expressing the will and interests of the entire multinational people of the republic.”
3. Citizens of Tatarstan did not participate in the nationwide vote on the draft Constitution of the Russian Federation on December 12, 1993.
4. On February 15, 1994, an Agreement on the Delimitation of Powers and Mutual Delegation of Authority between the Government Bodies of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan was signed.
   We emphasize that this was an interstate agreement.

However, in 2002, an assault on Tatarstan’s sovereignty began. Under orders from Moscow, Tatarstan’s Constitution was illegally amended. Article 1 was changed to include the phrase: “being a subject of the Russian Federation.”
The State Council deputies had no right to change Article 1, as the Constitution requires a referendum for such an amendment. The results of the 1992 referendum were effectively annulled. In essence, an unconstitutional coup took place in Tatarstan.

We consider the forced amendment of Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan to be illegitimate. It was made in gross violation of the Constitution, under pressure from Moscow, and contrary to the will of the people of Tatarstan.

During the 35 years of forced inclusion in this empire — a prison of nations — the Republic of Tatarstan has lost much. The presidency in Tatarstan was abolished, the constitutional provisions on sovereignty were repealed, and repression against activists and national movement leaders continues with renewed intensity.
The Tatar language faces systemic discrimination, and a policy of  linguocide  is being carried out. The republic’s national resources are exploited for the benefit of Moscow. The Tatar people are increasingly subjected to forced Russification, being stripped of their cultural, political, and historical subjectivity.

Of particular concern is the participation of Tatars in the aggressive war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
We are convinced that if Tatarstan had genuine independence, it would never have become part of this war. Today, however, thousands of Tatars are forcibly used as cannon fodder, mobilized against their will.
This constitutes a form of ethnocide, genocide, and destruction of the future of the Tatar nation.

In this regard, we call on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to take a just and courageous step — to consider the recognition of the Republic of Tatarstan as an independent state.

Tatarstan is a land with a thousand-year history, a unique culture, and a deep aspiration for self-determination. After the de facto abolition of autonomy within the Russian Federation, the Republic is deprived of the ability to determine its political future.

We firmly believe that, amid the ongoing war launched by imperial Moscow and the collapse of the international legal system, Ukraine’s support will be an act of historical justice, political strength, and moral leadership.

Recognizing the Republic of Tatarstan as an independent state will be:

• a step toward the decolonization of the Russian Federation;
• an example of international solidarity with oppressed peoples;
• a contribution to building a new, just security system in Eurasia.

We respectfully urge you to:

• review and adopt the relevant draft resolution;
• send a signal of support to the Tatar people and other enslaved peoples of Russia who are fighting for freedom, dignity, and independence.

Ukraine’s support will become an important symbol for millions seeking liberation from colonial legacy and striving for a free future.

In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and the right of peoples to self-determination as enshrined in Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we hereby express our support for the Tatar people’s aspiration to restore their state sovereignty.

Sign this petition and become a voice of freedom for Tatarstan!

Sincerely,

Rafis Kashapov – Prime Minister of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile;
Farit Zakiev – Chairman of the All-Tatar Public Center;
Vil Mirzayanov – Honorary Advisor to the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile;
Aida Abdrakhmanova – Deputy Prime Minister for National and Religious Affairs;
Marat Akhmerov – Deputy Prime Minister for Legal and Legislative Affairs;
Ramil Abdrakhmanov – Deputy Prime Minister for Internal Security;                      
Isa Sadykov – Honorary Consul to the Republic of Azerbaijan;
Vyacheslav Sivchyk – Honorary Consul to the Republic of Belarus;
Zufar Zainullin – Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia;
Kamil Sukaev – Ambassador to the United States;
Rausan Gizatullin – Representative to the Free State of Bavaria;
Dmitry Kuznetsov – Representative to the Republic of Finland;
Nikolai Bashmakov – Representative to the Republic of France.

Recipient: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine / Members of the Parliament
Category: Politics, International Relations, Rights of Peoples
Languages of publication: Ukrainian, English, Tatar, Russian

https://tatar-toz.blogspot.com/2025/07/petition-to-verkhovna-rada-of-ukraine.html