Ukraine 5AM Coalition discusses Ukraine’s path to victory and EU at conference in Georgia

On November 21-22, Ukraine 5AM Coalition representatives took part in the conference “The Future Begins Today: Crisis Response and Europe’s Eastern Policy” held in Tbilisi.

Civil society representatives from the Czech Republic, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, France, Ukraine, and Moldova participated in the conference. Maryna Khromykh, executive director of DEJURE Foundation, and Mariia Kurinna, international advocacy adviser at Human Rights Centre ZMINA, took part in the panel discussion “Strengthening EU perspectives in Ukraine.”

Mariia Kurinna and Maryna Khromyk

During the discussion, the activists shared their experience of implementing reforms in Ukraine even under the conditions of martial law imposed after the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of the territory of Ukraine had started. Khromykh said that Putin mentioned some details related to the judicial reform in Ukraine in his speech before the attack on February 24: “Putin is afraid of an independent and democratic Ukraine next to his swamp. Therefore, he sees our progress as a serious threat to the existence of the Russian empire.“

Khromykh also emphasized that European countries should pay due attention to the negative tendencies of comparing refugees from Ukraine, who are real victims of the war, with Russians fleeing mobilization.

“Such a comparison is absolutely incorrect so neither politicians nor ordinary citizens should tolerate it,” the activist said.

Kurinna shared the successes of advocacy in obtaining EU candidate status and ratifying the Istanbul Convention under martial law, being important signs of the movement along the vector in which human rights are a priority and every person can protect them.

Kurinna also spoke about the establishment of Ukraine 5AM Coalition which was created to document war crimes and crimes against humanity. She underscored: it is important that the civil society of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, the Czech Republic, France, and other countries speak publicly about the Ukrainian people gone missing, political prisoners, victims of enforced disappearances, and captives and draw attention to each story.

“These efforts may save lives and reduce the risks of inhumane treatment and also send a signal to war criminals that the world knows about their crimes and will do everything possible to hold them to account,” Kurinna said.

The expert also shared her experience of advocacy in Global South countries: ZMINA visited African countries, the UN headquarters in New York, meeting with delegations of the relevant states and holding a press conference for journalists from Latin America countries.

Such venues help to tell more about Ukraine’s successes, share experiences with other countries, and discuss joint action plans for the future, Kurinna believes.

The conference was organized by People in Need who support the activity of Ukraine 5AM Coalition from the very beginning of its creation.