31/08/2026
Address by the Chairman of the Association of Karaite Jews in Germany (ARIE), Dr. h.c. Haim Bilga, to the Participants of the Roundtable "Crimea. Future" (Berlin, August 27, 2026)
Dear President of the Assembly of Crimean Organisations, Mr. Elvis Çolpuh,
Distinguished participants, experts, and guests,
On behalf of the Association of Karaite Jews in Germany (ARIE), I extend my warmest greetings to you in Berlin. Regrettably, due to mandatory medical procedures at the clinic, I am unable to attend in person or join you online. However, it is of vital importance to me that the voice of the Crimean Karaites — one of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine — is clearly heard during this decisive discussion.
Just days ago, from August 21 to 23, the international conference "Halych — 780 Years of Karaite History and Living Heritage" took place in Halych. Building upon the resolutions adopted alongside my colleagues and community leaders, I wish to outline several key visions for the future of a restored, free, and European Crimea:
Agency and Representative Bodies of Indigenous Peoples
The enacted Law of Ukraine "On the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine" provides us with a firm legal framework. In our Halych Resolution, we established the decision to create a Representative Body of the Karaites as an indigenous people of Ukraine to ensure its legitimacy and long-term sustainability. The future governance model of de-occupied Crimea must be built on a direct dialogue between the state and the representative bodies of its indigenous peoples — Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks. This is the ultimate guarantee of genuine democratic diversity and equal citizenship.
Protection of Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Reintegration begins with fighting for every single human life today. Our compatriots in the occupied territories are under tremendous pressure. A glaring example is the case of 26-year-old Karaite activist Sakhi Mangubi. After over a year in pre-trial detention without charge, the occupation authorities forcibly transferred her to a psychiatric institution. This is a direct resurgence of punitive psychiatry and a war crime against the indigenous population. We are already raising these critical issues with the Bavarian Government and international human rights organizations. Following de-occupation, the state and civil society must ensure total legal and social protection for Crimea’s indigenous population, preventing any stigmatization or discrimination against those who survived under occupation.
Restoration of Memory, Toponymy, and Historical Settlements
Restoring historical place names across Crimea and preserving its cultural environment means restoring historical truth. Guided by Clause 8 of our Halych Resolution regarding a State Program for the Compact Settlement of Karaites in their historical areas, we are convinced that similar state programs must be implemented in de-occupied Crimea — to revitalize the Karaite language and preserve our kenesas, historical cemeteries (zerets), and architectural heritage.
International Solidarity
Through our work in Munich, particularly within the commission at the Migration Advisory Board, we see how essential it is to pair internal Ukrainian efforts with international support. The experience of European integration and the backing of Germany’s democratic institutions must serve as effective instruments for the rapid rebuilding of Crimea’s civil society.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Assembly of Crimean Organisations and to Mr. Elvis Çolpuh personally for this initiative and invitation. The unity of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples is our shared shield and the key to our victory.
I wish all participants of the roundtable a highly productive and impactful discussion.
Crimea is Ukraine. The homeland of our peoples and our shared future.
Respectfully and in solidarity,
Dr. h.c. Haim Bilga
Chairman of the Board, ARIE – Verband der Karaimischen Juden aus den postsowjetischen Staaten e.V.
Member of the Migration Advisory Board of the City of Munich
