Do not appease evil: Ukrainian public figures appeal to world leaders

The collapse of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure last year due to Russia’s war brought the entire country to its knees. And while Ukraine was, for the most part, spared from widespread blackouts this winter, Russian forces are once again targeting critical infrastructure.

As of today, Ukraine continues to fight for its survival in the midst of a terrible war with Russia. Therefore, progress in cases of conviction of the Russian leadership for crimes against children is extremely important, as it will contribute to delegitimizing Putin's actions and status and will encourage countermeasures against Russia even by those states acting reluctantly in their opposition to the aggressor. Furthermore, progress in the proceedings against Putin and Lvova-Belova will also bring justice to the victims of crimes against children and their families. Accordingly, any delay in this regard is unjustified and even criminal.

In London, on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a Ukrainian non-governmental delegation worked on tasks related to enlightening partners and activating support for the investigation of war crimes and justice for senior Russian officials. The Civil Network OPORA, the charitable foundation “Voices of Children,” and the International Centre of Ukrainian Victory organized a series of hearings and events in the British Parliament and the Ukrainian Institute London for various audiences. They also participated in bilateral meetings with government officials and parliamentarians, urging them to support the #MakeRussiaPay campaign for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets.

The UK government has announced funding to support the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

29 listopada b.r. na zaproszenie Ambasady Brytyjskiej i Fundacji im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego miałam zaszczyt zaprezentować działalność naszego Centrum Pomocy w Dokumentowaniu Zbrodni Wojennych podczas konferencji "Sprawiedliwość dla Ukrainy", która odbyła się w Muzeum Historii Polski na terenie Cytadeli Warszawskiej. Nasze Centrum zostało otwarte w stolicy Polski we wrześniu ubiegłego roku z inicjatywy Sieci Obywatelskiej OPORA. 

After the breakout of the full-scale invasion, many public and media initiatives embarked on documenting war crimes committed by Russians in Ukraine. Anyone entering this effort realizes that the topic is broad enough to include everyone willing to engage. Thus, as of end of November, 2023, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine instituted over 114,000 criminal proceedings. However, how could media and civil society members work more efficiently in this area? It was discussed by the participants of the theme-based meeting in Warsaw on November, 28, as part of the Donbas Media Forum: Global.

On October 31, 2023, hearings were held in the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons of Canada. During the hearings, representatives of the Civil Network OPORA — Chairman of the Board and co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory Olga Aivazovska and international lawyer Andrii Mikheiev — were testifying.

Human rights lawyers, public and cultural activists discussed human rights during the war, their cooperation over the year of joint effort, achievement and accomplishments during the All-Ukrainian Human Rights Forum “Legion of Law.” The event was organized by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets. The event was opened by a UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers, Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori, and Ambassador of Denmark Ole Egberg Mikkelse...

UK’s Minister for Security Tom Tugendhat with a delegation of British diplomats attended the Center for Assisting War Crimes Documentation in Warsaw, opened by the Civil Network OPORA.