Crimea's pro-Russian parliament approves declaration on independence
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 March 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Crimea's pro-Russian parliament approves declaration on independence, 11 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/534d2e8114.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 11, 2014
Members of the new pro-Russian forces dubbed the "military forces of the autonomous republic of Crimea" stand at a gate, adorned with a Russian flag, of Simferopol's republican military enlistment complex on March 10.
Pro-Russia lawmakers in Ukraine's peninsula of Crimea, which is now occupied by Russian forces, have approved a declaration on the republic's independence – a precursor to a referendum on the region becoming part of Russia.
The lawmakers announced that the March 11 adoption of the declaration is a technical step ahead of a referendum on March 16 that will ask voters whether Crimea should join Russia.
"If Crimean residents vote for the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia as a constituent entity, Crimea will be declared an independent republic after the referendum," the declaration says.
Seventy-eight of the 81 lawmakers present voted in favor of the declaration.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's parliament has warned the parliament in Crimea that it faces dissolution unless it cancels the referendum.
Western nations and the new government Kyiv have said they will not recognize the vote as legitimate.
Based on reporting by Interfax, Reuters, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
