At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we condemn the alarming developments emerging from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a crisis that continues to impact the lives of countless individuals.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent statements at a conference in New York have shed light on the challenging situation faced by Ukraine in its counteroffensive efforts. Despite his assurance that the counteroffensive remains on track, concerns have been raised by a high-ranking military officer, Commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who described a World War I-type slowdown at the front lines.
President Zelenskyy, in response to these concerns, has expressed determination, stating that the Ukrainian military is developing various plans and operations to overcome the current challenges and strike the Russian Federation unexpectedly. However, he emphasizes the critical need for more military supplies from Western allies to effectively combat the Russian invasion.
Disturbing reports have also surfaced, indicating that Russia is using Ukrainian prisoners of war on the front lines, coercing them into fighting for Moscow’s side. Such actions, if true, would constitute a clear violation of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit exposing prisoners of war to combat or placing them in unhealthy and dangerous conditions. The Institute for the Study of War in Washington and Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about the involuntary nature of these activities.
In a separate incident, we strongly denounce the demand for an eight-year prison term for Russian artist and musician Sasha Skochilenko, who spoke out against Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Her arrest and the subsequent charges of spreading false information highlight a troubling trend of suppressing dissenting voices in Russia. The legislation adopted by Russian authorities to criminalize deviations from the official line on the war has led to a widespread crackdown on opposition figures, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens critical of the Kremlin.
Nordic Right stands in solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and condemns any actions that violate international humanitarian laws and impede freedom of expression. We urge the international community to address these concerns and work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.
