According to Ukrinform, an Ukrainian news agency, the World Congress of Crimean Tatars, held from 19 to 22 May, resulted in the creation of a non-governmental organisation that will bear the same congress' name: World Congress of Crimean Tatars. The new body will be set up to enhance co-operation among already existing Tatar NGOs, and will have its headquarters in Crimea.

Massive deportation suffered in 1944 by Crimean Tatars under the Stalin régime, commemorated last May 18 in its 65th anniversary, is one of the reasons that has caused the so-called Tatar diaspora, which is scattered all over Eastern and Western Europe, Russia and the US. As reported by Ukrinform, last week's congress in Simferopol gathered members of 162 Tatar NGOs from 12 different countries.

Further information:

• Ukrinform: Crimean Tatars proclaim creation of international NGO
• Nationalia: Crimean Tatars call for linguistic rights to be respected in the 65th anniversary of their deportation