10 May 2016, the 15th session of the UN Permanent Forum on indigenous issues under the slogan "Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and solutions" begun its work in New York.

According to First Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova the status of the indigenous people, which Ukraine has defined for the Crimean Tatars, is the key to the return of Crimea to Ukraine.

"Under international law, in particular, the UN Declaration on indigenous peoples, the Crimean Tatars have the right to self-determination that is unacceptable to the occupation authorities. In turn, the policy of destruction at all levels - from language to physical violence in relation to indigenous people was chosen. However, there is the myth of equal respect and protection of the rights of the Crimean Tatars on all world arenas. The Forum is not an exception. Even the supposedly independent experts from Russia are working to justify "the Crimea is ours". Very similar to Russian media, when regardless of the form of ownership, they are subordinate and controlled by the regime", said E. Dzhaparova.

First Deputy also noted that after the de-occupation of Crimea, the indigenous people, in the event of the realization of the right to self-determination, will guarantee the protection of Ukraine in Crimea. The 15th session of the Forum will last until 20 May. Annually at sessions of the Forum, representatives of indigenous peoples of the world gather to discuss the problems of their peoples and the search for solutions.

The Crimean Tatars were represented at the Forum on behalf of the representative body of the indigenous people - the Majlis. The delegation included: Eskender Bariev, a member of the Majlis; Ayla Bakkali and Aslan Omer Kyrymly, the representatives of the Mejlis in New York; Emine Dzhaparova, First Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine.

The UN permanent Forum on indigenous issues is one of the 3 UN mechanisms that deals with indigenous issues and is the highest deliberative body of the UN. The Forum also deals with issues of economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights in the context of the protection of indigenous peoples. The Forum was established by ECOSOC in 2000. It conducts an annual session, which usually is held in May. The Forum consists of 16 members representing various regions of the world.