The global civil society alliance CIVICUS has put out a statement expressing its solidarity with the people of Ukraine and calling for a swift, unified, and targeted international response to Russia’s actions.
‘The attacks on Ukraine are unjustified and must be met with a swift response from the international community,’ said CIVICUS in its statement. ‘The international community needs to rally together and condemn Russia’s aggression in the strongest terms, on the basis that Putin’s trampling of international norms endangers all nations. In the face of these unprovoked attacks, states should cease all trading activity that benefits Russia’s military infrastructure and President Putin’s associates.’
The organisation has also highlighted the importance of making the protection of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists a priority.
According to the CIVICUS monitor, an online platform that tracks threats to civil society in countries across the globe, the space for civil society in Russia is categorised as repressed.
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What is happening in Ukraine today these events had been happening for the past 20+ years, when Putin came into power by bombing his own people – civilian apartments and committing atrocities against the Chechen people. The response from the US, EU and NATO had been just complete silence and welcoming Putin to the summits and holding red carpet meetings for him. This further emboldened Putin who attacked Georgia in 2008 and conquered Abkhazia and Samachablo. What did the Western powers do? Absolutely nothing! Reset by the Obama Administration and warm handshakes by Merkel, total ignorance of the international laws and Putin’s war crimes against the Georgian people. What happened afterwards? Putin invaded Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. What did the Western powers do? Bare minimum of symbolic sanctions that continued to feed Putin’s war machine. Then Syria, use of chemical weapons, more atrocities… . What did the Western powers do? Absolutely nothing! So we are here as a result of Putin’s false perception that he could chew more than he could bite and the 20+ year ignorance from the EU, US and the NATO. Today there is strong response and sanctions that will take the Russian economy back to the 1990s indicators, however it is too late and too little. Ukraine needs the Patriot missiles, S-400s, S-300s, missiles to shoot down airplanes and incoming rockets at much higher altitudes than Stingers could reach, Ukraine needs much more firepower and the ability to control and close its own skies. Lets help Zelensky establish the No Fly Zone! The Biden administration looked weak, but slowly they are starting to wake up and see the true face of evil – Vladimir Putin who is trying to restore the new Russian empire… Slava Ukraini! Glory to Ukraine! As a Georgian citizen, I proudly stand 100% with my Ukrainian brothers & sisters! David Dzidzikashvili Ph.D. Candidate Business & Technology University – BTU Tbilisi, Georgia