ZMINA’s Maria Kurinna called for public outcry for politically persecute citizen journalist Iryna Danylovych in Crimea in keynote speach at the Council of the European Green Party
On June 3, 2022, Maria Kurinna, ZMINA’s international advocacy manager participated in the 35th Council of European Green Party (EGP) in Riga (Latvia) as an invited guest. Kurinna made a statement on the current situation in Ukraine from the human rights perspective. Kurinna called for a public outcry of politically persecuted citizen journalist from Crimea Iryna Danylovych. She also participated in the panel discussion at the plenary session ‘The future of European security and defence policy in light of Putin’s war against Ukraine’.
Taking into consideration that the Council takes place in the capital city of Latvia, a country sharing a land border with the Russian Federation, and as the prolonged war in Ukraine is taking a toll on lives and livelihoods, EGP as a party in governmental positions in several European countries addressed the question of how do the party imagine the future of security and defence policy in Europe in the face of the new reality.
Kurinna raised the topic of gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by Russia. She elaborated on:
- Forced deportation of Ukrainian citizens, including children;
- Development of “filtration” camps in the temporarily occupied territories;
- Enforced disappearances and abductions of Ukrainian activists, local self-government officials, volunteers and other active members of local communities in the occupied territories;
- Sexual violence towards the civilian population, including children and prisoners of war;
- Disproportional effect of military actions on women, including the persecution of women- activists;
- Facts of ill-treatment, torture and extrajudicial killings of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories.
Kurinna stated that she came to the Council to be the voice of all of those who are silenced by Russia now. She told about the enforced disappearance of a citizen journalist and activist Iryna Danylovych in Crimea and followed illegal detention and opening criminal prosecution. Kurinna also reminded about the abduction of Yulia Payevska a.k.a. Tayra Ukrainian civilian volunteer paramedic, who has been taken hostage since March 16 while evacuating civilians near Mariupol.
“I would like to challenge you to bear in mind that the fact you can gather in a safe environment and be able to go back to your homes to hug your beloved ones is a privilege now. It is a privilege you have because Ukraine is right now fighting for Europe and its values of democracy, human rights, and rule of law. So bear it in mind when you make decisions that influence the European future, take leadership and support Ukraine in a meaningful way: by establishing and sustaining the mechanisms of bringing perpetrators to justice, including by keeping pace with the establishment of the special tribunal on the crime of aggression. Support Ukraine’s candidacy status not as a gift, but as deserved recognition of Ukraine’s achievements in promoting democracy and human rights since the Revolution of Dignity. Support Ukrainian civil society based on their real needs. Please bear in mind this is our mutual fight in a civilizational clash. I do believe Europe can take true leadership for democracy, rule of law and human rights prevail on the European continent,” addressed the members of Green political parties Kurinna.
The panel discussion followed Kurinna’s key-note speech. Its objectives were to spark a conversation on the adequate Green response to the current crisis, complement the resolution on Ukraine that the Council is going to vote on June 5, showcase that Green policies extend beyond climate action and environmentalism and give voice to locals and experts on what can and should be the path forward from the current situation.
What are the consequences of the war from a human rights perspective? What does the future hold for the common security and defence policy of Europe? What are the steps ahead the Greens are putting on the table? How can EGP support Ukraine more in realizing its right to self-defence? How EGP can help develop a meaningful Marshal-like plan for Ukraine from the perspective of Green values? These are the questions this panel discussion sought to answer.
“After World War 2, laws were put in place on how states deal with each other. These laws only work if those who trample them are sanctioned,” stressed Hannah Neumann, Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA Group, Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Committee (DROI).
“The right of states to defend themselves against an attack is anchored in Article 51 of the UN charter. This is a core principle of international law,” stated Alexandra Marksteiner, the panellist and a researcher, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme.
“This is a situation comparable to 9/11. A rules-based order and international norms are undermined, which will have wider global implications” said Dr Andris Spruds, researcher and the Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs
Maria Kurinna reminded that Ukraine fights for its freedom, for its right to choose its own future.
The panel discussion was moderated by Thomas Waitz, Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA Group and co-chair of the European Green Party.
Note: The European Green Party is a European political party that is also known as the European Greens. EGP brings together national parties that share the same Green values, and who are active across the entire European continent – both within the European Union and beyond. Greens are striving for a Green transformation of Europe and its economy, that will bring about a progressive and sustainable future for all its citizens. Among other things, EGP’s positions focus on strengthening human rights, tackling climate change, creating good jobs, empowering young people and building a strong, democratic Europe.
