Discussion in Lausanne, Switzerland devoted to political repression in Russia and the war in Ukraine

SolidaritéS Vaud is organizing an evening devoted to the political repressions in Russia and the war in Ukraine on Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at Zinéma (Rue du Maupas 4). This evening will be held less than a month after the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, an opponent of Putin.

The program includes a conference with two activists from Ukraine and two activists from Russia, followed by a screening of the documentary “Crimea Unveiled” and then, after the film, a discussion with speakers.

To account for these interconnected situations and to express our solidarity with those who fight for human rights, SolidaritéS has invited:

Olga Skripnik – Human Rights Advocate (Crimea)
Tetyana Pechonchyk – Journalist and Human Rights Advocate (Ukraine)
Anna Dobrovolskaya & Konstantin Baranov – Human Rights Advocates (Russia)

Short films that will be screened accompanied by cameraman Yuri Gruzinov:

Crimea Unveiled (UKR 2014)

The main hero of the film, Rustem Skibin, is a Tatar artist from Crimea. He had to leave his home in March last year, just after the annexation of Crimea by Russia. The artist left his homeland, but he has not forgotten what is important.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/110078517

Mariupol (UKR 2015)

This film is a testimony of the unfolding of the war in the east of Ukraine. It tells of the fates of individuals who, against their will, find themselves the victim of deliberate Russian aggression against Ukraine.

While Russian forces are invading the territory of Ukraine, all those who express an anti-militarist position undergo terrible repression in Russia. The assassination of Boris Nemtsov, an opponent of Putin and former Deputy Prime Minister, is one of the fruits of this repressive climate.

Indeed, this terrorist act, whoever may be its executors, is a consequence of the jingoistic propaganda accompanying the aggressive foreign policy of the Kremlin. One of its main features is hatred directed against an alleged “fifth column,” which would sabotage calls for national unity against the appointed enemies of Russia.

In this context, an unwritten rule has been imposed by the Russian government: public criticism of the government and the protest against the presence of Russian troops on the territory of another country is prohibited. Boris Nemtsov consistently violated this rule, but the day after his assassination, 70,000 people marched in Moscow.

Meanwhile, the habitants of Ukrainian territory which has been occupied by the Russian army or pro-Russian rebels have become victims of this conflict. The Donbass region is devastated by the war and the death toll has already reached 6000.

Inhabitants of Crimea who have spoken out against the annexation of the region by Russia have been imprisoned, persecuted and threatened.