Journalist and human rights activist Nariman Celal appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to Türkiye

“Don’t stop and demand the release of your colleagues! Journalists are important!”

These words of Nariman Celal (or Nariman Dhzelyal), written in the book of reviews of the Kyiv-based Journalists’ Solidarity Center (JSC) of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), take on special significance today.

Former journalist and deputy chairperson of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Nariman Celal (Dhzelyal), recently released from russian captivity, has received a new appointment in the diplomatic service of Ukraine. According to the Presidential Decree dated May 14, published on the official website of the Head of State, Celal has been appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Türkiye.

Nariman Celal is a multifaceted personality whose professional activities encompass journalism, politics, and human rights work. Born on April 27, 1980, in the Uzbek city of Navoi, he returned to Crimea with his family in 1989, where he later began his active public activities.

Having received a degree in political science from Odesa National University, Celal devoted a significant part of his professional life to journalism. He worked for the Crimean Tatar newspaper, Avdet. He was a presenter on the ATR TV channel, an important media resource for the Crimean Tatar community. In parallel with his journalistic activities, Nariman taught history and law at the Simferopol International School, combining professional activities with an educational mission.

In 2013, Celal‘s journalistic and teaching experience was supplemented by political activities – he took up the position of First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. After the russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, Nariman made the difficult decision to remain on the peninsula, where he continued to fight for the rights of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians.

As a journalist and human rights activist, he systematically documented human rights violations in occupied Crimea, attended court hearings in politically motivated cases, and documented the repression of the occupation authorities.

In September 2021, after participating in the founding summit of the Crimean Platform, he was detained by russian security forces on trumped-up charges of sabotage. In 2022, a russian court sentenced Nariman to 17 years in prison in a maximum-security colony.

After his release from russian captivity as a result of a prisoner exchange, Nariman Celal was able to continue his activities on the international stage. His appointment as Ambassador of Ukraine to Türkiye is a recognition of his contribution to the struggle for the rights of the Crimean Tatar people and a symbolic step in strengthening Ukrainian-Turkish relations, especially given the historical and cultural ties between the Crimean Tatars and Türkiye.

The NUJU congratulates Nariman Celal, who has been in russian captivity for almost three years, on his official appointment to an important position.

“Our Union [the NUJU], together with other organizations, helped to free Nariman, who was in russian captivity for almost three years. It was very important for me when he visited the NUJU at our office on Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv after his release,” NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko said in a Facebook post. “Then Nariman said: “Your attention and the attention of our society to the fate of journalists who carried out real informational resistance to the occupiers… is a guarantee that at least one more journalist’s name will be added to the list of those to be released.” Separately, Nariman Celal thanked all colleagues from the European Federation of Journalists for their solidarity and for the resolution of the EFJ-2024 Annual Meeting, which demanded the unconditional release of all captured Ukrainian journalists from russia. In particular, it demanded the release of Nariman Celal himself.”

The NUJU is convinced that in his new position, Nariman Celal will worthily represent Ukraine and actively contribute to the release of Ukrainian political prisoners. We wish him success and significant diplomatic achievements!

NUJU Information Service