The European Union Delegation to Ukraine has said the ban on public commemoration of victims of deportation of the Crimean Tatars is unacceptable, and expressed its concern over recent arrests of Crimean Tatar activists.

"Today, 72 years on from the forcible deportation of the Crimean Tatars from their homeland, they again face persecution and intimidation. The prohibition of peaceful, independent public commemorations of the Crimean Tatars' historical tragedy is not acceptable," the EU Delegation said in a statement posted on its website.

The EU Delegation recalled that the rights and fundamental freedoms of Crimean Tatars were gravely attacked through the recent banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and its labeling as "an extremist organization" by the so called Supreme Court of Crimea. Furthermore, recent reports of arrests of Crimean Tatar activists are of great concern for the EU.

"The EU has repeatedly expressed its deep concern at the deterioration of the human rights situation in Crimea and Sevastopol since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, and calls for full compliance with international human rights standards and other obligations under international law," the delegation said.