Latvian diplomats write letters to political prisoners from Crimea in the solidarity campaign

As LETA agency was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MA), Latvia’s representation in the UN, OSCE and other international organizations held an event in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday, where diplomats from OSCE member states wrote letters to political prisoners in Russian prisons.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that with this event, Latvia supports the international solidarity campaign “Letters to Free Crimea” organized by Ukraine, which takes place from February 19 to May 19. Participation in the campaign is a confirmation of Latvia’s firm support for Ukraine and its independence, sovereignty and territorial unity within the internationally recognized borders, emphasizes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The purpose of the “Letters to a Free Crimea” initiative is to write and send letters to Crimean political prisoners who have been arrested or convicted for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine or resisting the Russian occupation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that prisoners are often kept in inhumane conditions, where they are denied basic human rights – communication with family, lawyers, medical assistance is not provided, and detainees are subjected to torture.

“For political prisoners from Crimea, who are in Russian prisons, every letter from the outside world gives them hope and psychological strength to overcome difficult conditions. At the same time, the letters are a message to the prison administrations that the international community is following the fate of the prisoners,” says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Ukrainian presidential mission in Crimea, there are 208 political prisoners from Crimea on Russian territory, of which 125 are Crimean Tatars.