the chairman of the Mejlis was outraged by Anton Steniuk’s speech
Dmytro Lubinets sent a complaint about the incident to the police
Anton Stenyuk/Instagram
Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov indignant by the performance of stand-up comedian Anton Stenyuk, who allegedly has signs of religious enmity.
Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reacted to this, saying that he had already sent a request to the National Police.
The video attached to the Mejlis chairman’s post shows an excerpt from Anton Stenyuk’s solo stand-up called “Sensual”, which took place in March 2024.
Video at the end of May published on the channel of the “Underground Standup” project, whose resident is a comedian.
“This war is just nonsense. I don’t know how it happened that some Orthodox are killing other Orthodox, when there are still so many Muslims in the world.
I am not saying that Muslims should be killed. I am an adequate person and I understand that now is not the time. Moreover, the Jews are already engaged in this”the comedian says in the video.
Refat Chubarov criticized these words, calling the speech an “attack” against Muslims.
“What the hell… Do not try to convince me that I allegedly did not catch the meaning of this “joke”, which, in fact, is not here. However, there is an open attack against people on religious grounds.
It is a pity that in this case it is up to me, a citizen of Ukraine who professes Islam, to point out this scoundrel who allows himself to cynically insult his fellow citizens.”– says Refat Chubarov’s message.
His opinion on Anton Steniuk’s speech as well expressed chief mufti DMurat Suleymanov of the religious administration of Muslims of Ukraine “Umma”. He called the comedian’s words “public humiliation of all Muslims of Ukraine”.
“Everything in this short clip is disgusting: complete ignorance about religions, inciting inter-religious enmity, insulting the memory of soldiers who gave their lives defending Ukraine.
Someone will say that this is black humor, such jokes are “on the edge”. However, I did not hear anything funny, because in principle I do not understand how it is possible in a warring state to be so detached from reality and so openly demonstrate your limitations and ignorance.”– wrote Murat Suleymanov.
The Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reacted to the incident in his comments. The ombudsman reported that he had turned to the National Police of Ukraine with a request to provide legal qualifications for the comedian’s performance.
“I sent a letter to the National Police of Ukraine regarding the investigation and opening of criminal proceedings under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, namely inciting religious enmity and hatred, insulting the feelings of citizens in connection with their religious beliefs”Dmytro Lubinets noted.
The editors of “UP. Life” asked Anton Stenyuk and “Underground Standup” for a comment and are waiting for a response.
We will remind, in July stand-up comedian Serhii Chirkov brought out during a performance from the stage of the Atlas Weekend music festival. The comedian then quoted Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s speech during the 2019 presidential debate.
The organizers of the event apologized for the incident and promised to “work on the mistakes”.