Europe should stand in solidarity with the Russian and Belarusian anti-war movement

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 15633 | 12 October 2022

Signatories:

Mr Kimmo KILJUNEN, Finland, SOC ; Ms Thórhildur Sunna ÆVARSDÓTTIR, Iceland, SOC ; Ms Sibel ARSLAN, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Krista BAUMANE, Latvia, ALDE ; Mr Iulian BULAI, Romania, ALDE ; Mr Irakli CHIKOVANI, Georgia, SOC ; Mr Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Romania, SOC ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Piero FASSINO, Italy, SOC ; Lord George FOULKES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI, Albania, SOC ; Ms Marta GRANDE, Italy, NR ; Mr Antonio GUTIÉRREZ LIMONES, Spain, SOC ; Mr John HOWELL, United Kingdom, EC/DA ; Mr Bjarni JÓNSSON, Iceland, UEL ; Ms Maria JUFEREVA-SKURATOVSKI, Estonia, ALDE ; Mr George KATROUGALOS, Greece, UEL ; Ms Hilkka KEMPPI, Finland, ALDE ; Ms Fiona O'LOUGHLIN, Ireland, ALDE ; Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Mr Aleksander POCIEJ, Poland, EPP/CD ; Mr Indrek SAAR, Estonia, SOC ; Mr Axel SCHÄFER, Germany, SOC ; Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria, SOC ; Ms Ingjerd SCHOU, Norway, EPP/CD ; Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC ; Mr Tommy SHEPPARD, United Kingdom, NR ; Mr Nicos TORNARITIS, Cyprus, EPP/CD ; Ms Anne-Mari VIROLAINEN, Finland, EPP/CD ; Ms Tamara VONTA, Slovenia, ALDE ; Ms Yelyzaveta YASKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s large-scale aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, thousands have left Russia. Many fear persecution for opposing the invasion of Ukraine; others do not want to take part in a war of aggression they disapprove of for political and moral reasons. The announced partial mobilisation in the Russian Federation has triggered a further exodus, mainly of men trying to avoid conscription, as well as anti-war protests in dozens of cities across Russia.

The Belarusian authorities take part in this war of aggression by providing passage to Russian troops and logistical support. It seems that the troops are being deployed. Despite the heavy restrictions on manifesting their views, Belarusian civil society opposes the war of aggression.

Europe is committed to sanctioning the Russian and Belarusian regimes for the war of aggression against Ukraine. It should be equally committed to supporting those who oppose it and help them to express their voice.

Last June, in a joint appeal to members of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly, a broad civil society alliance from 20 countries, including the Russian Movement for Conscientious Objectors which has openly condemned the Russian military aggression, called on European governments to grant protection and asylum to Russian and Belarusian conscientious objectors and deserters, amongst others.

The Assembly should stand in solidarity with Russian and Belarussian anti-war movement and protests, including war deserters and the political opposition inside these countries and abroad. It should support them to counter disinformation and to contribute to the democratisation of Russia and Belarus. These people may be our best hope for peace which is still nowhere in sight.