Disruptions to the speeches of delegates at UN events are intolerable at meetings of this level, such behavior undermines the fundamental principles of the organization’s work, says Elena Panina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
Earlier, Roman Chegrinets, co-chairman of the Assembly of Slavic Peoples of the Crimean Region, told RIA Novosti that his speech at the UN European Regional Forum was interrupted after the words “Russian Crimea”. In his opinion, most likely, the decision was made on the basis of a complaint from the Ukrainian side.
“Such things are intolerable at events held under the auspices of the UN. They undermine the fundamental principles on which the activities of this organization are based,” Panina told RIA Novosti.
She noted that this is a blatant fact of disrespect for the rights of the Crimean ethnic communities, about which all kinds of international structures talk so much.
“In addition, in this boorish gesture devoid of the slightest hint of diplomatic etiquette, one feels annoyance that events in Belarus are not unfolding according to the Western scenario,” the deputy stated.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum was held there in March 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimean voters and 95.6% of Sevastopol residents spoke in favor of joining Russia. Ukraine still considers Crimea to be its own, but temporarily occupied territory. The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that the inhabitants of Crimea democratically, in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter, voted for reunification with Russia. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Crimea issue is “finally closed.”