The third seminar of the Commission “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine, in association with the European Union”, which took place from June 2 to 5, 2019, in the city of Caen, within the framework of the World Forum Normandy for Peace, brought together researchers and representatives of civil society from Ukraine, Russia and the European Union. The seminar focused on the rule of law and the role of the European Union in Russia and Ukraine. The seminar adopted a final document addressing the civil society of Ukraine, Russia and European countries.
Seminar participants recognise that:
– Respect for the norms of international law, based on the universal values of justice and the defense of human rights, demands the immediate cessation of the Russian Federation’s war in Ukraine.
– the concept of “sovereignty” based on an understanding of normative law as a power struggle put forward by Russian power, contradicts the principles of democracy and the rule of law based on justice and the defense of human dignity.
Seminar participants recommend:
– not to renew the voting rights of the Russian Federation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as long as it continues to violate the norms of international law, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
– to support the European Parliament resolution on European sanctions in the field of human rights violations adopted in March 2019. This resolution proposes to establish sanctions in the spirit of the Magnitsky Law concerning the accountability of officials and oligarchs who violate human rights.
– to follow the recommendations of the international organisation “Open Dialogue Foundation” for worldwide enforcement of a Magnitsky Law.
– to set up a dialogue forum between the Ukrainian and Russian civil societies operating permanently, including on Internet networks.
Seminar participants call for:
– Defence of this concept of democracy and the rule of law through intellectual and ethical reinforcement based on European values.
– Development of political and educational activities to strengthen the immunity of European society against right- and left-wing populism, national egoism and attempts to influence the collective consciousness in a destructive way.
– Awareness of the issues of information security as a crucial mission in the fight against hybrid warfare.
– Establishment, within the framework of the Council of Europe, of a “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation” commission with the aim of updating and condemning the crimes of the totalitarian communist regime, as well as helping to overcome the imperialist legacy.
– The attention of professional lawyers and journalists to be drawn to the need to create an effective mechanism to bring to justice media and individuals who create and disseminate fake news with the aim of fomenting discord between nations and religions, and racial hatred.
– Development of mechanisms of international, civil and criminal responsibility for violations of international agreements.
We require :
– The immediate release of Oleg Sentsov, imprisoned Ukrainian sailors and all political prisoners.
– The creation, under the auspices of the Council of Europe, of a single register documenting the cases of human rights violations according to the model and principle of the register established by the Federal Republic of Germany on crimes committed in the GDR.
Our Commission, with its participants from Ukraine and Russia, intends to continue its work for justice and peace.
Russia
1) Liudmila Telen, journalist
2) Nikita Petrov, Historian, Memorial Association, Moscow
3) Anastasia Kirilenko, Russian journalist living in Paris
4) Igor Eidman, Russian sociologist living in Germany
5) Nadezhda Kutepova, lawyer, Chelyabinsk environmental activist, refugee in France
Ukraine
1) Yevhen Hlibovytsky, expert in public media in Ukraine, Kyiv.
2) Constantine Sigov, philosopher, professor at the Mohyla Academy, Kyiv.
3) Father Georges Kovalenko, philosopher, rector of the St. Sophia Open Orthodox University in Kiev, Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
European Union
1) Paola Gaffurini, Chargée de Mission, Open Dialogue Foundation, Brussels.
2) Antoine Arjakovsky, historian, co-director of the “Politics and Religions” department at the Collège des Bernardins, Paris.
3) Boris Reitchuster, German writer and journalist, former correspondent in Russia.
4) Nicolas Tenzer, political scientist.
5) Cécile Vaissié, professor at the University of Rennes.
6) Galia Ackerman, writer, journalist.
7) Julien Vercueil, economist (CREE-INALCO).