THE PRESS OFFICE
August 14, 2022
The following is attributable to the Global Citizens International Movement Press Office:
We are concerned about reports of alleged death sentences against citizens of foreign States in the territory of the self-proclaimed entity “Donetsk People’s Republic” in eastern Ukraine. One Croatian citizen, three British citizens, and one Swedish citizen risk being robbed of their lives.
We pay tribute to their tireless families, which show extraordinary strength, fortitude, and courage in the face of unimaginable trials. The pain they’re going through is beyond belief. The moments of laughter, joy, and hope that they lost cannot be replenished.
Against this background, some officials of foreign countries are attempting to transfer to the Ukrainian side responsibility for the further life of citizens of their countries who are currently detained in Russia or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in eastern Ukraine. Such an approach is a matter of serious concern.
In the context of the global economic downturn and political tensions, the public display by foreign officials of the narrative mentioned above against their nationals, whether dual nationals or not, is not in the interests of the citizens of those countries who are detained on the territory of Russia or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in eastern Ukraine, as well as the social demand of their families, and is unacceptable.
Today, people in the world need the full support and protection of their State for the benefit of future generations, especially when families are under stress.
More and more, there is a steady public demand for stability, which is associated primarily with strong centralized power.
National authorities must understand this to assess the prospects and trends of society’s social structure and to effectively shape its domestic and foreign policy. It is essential to understand this now when in general, a model of this or that country implemented policy and the citizens’ ideas about the state’s role in the new conditions have developed.
Now more than ever, we very much need the constructive support and assistance of the interested persons of the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, and Croatia for the implementation of the activities of the International Civil Initiative “We’ll Bring Them Home Alive,” aimed at preventing new deaths and returning the citizens of foreign states detained in the territory of the Russian Federation or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in the east of Ukraine, home, to relatives and friends.
We call on mothers and family members from foreign countries whose relatives and friends are in custody in Russia or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in eastern Ukraine to help us save the lives of their loved ones and to join the International Civil Initiative “We’ll Bring Them Home Alive.”
We also call on politicians, civic activists, and national authorities of States whose citizens are currently detained in the territory of Russia or in the territory of self-proclaimed entities in the east of Ukraine to support and assist us in the implementation of the activities of the International Civil Initiative “We’ll Bring Them Home Alive” aimed at preventing further deaths and the return of citizens of foreign States detained in the territory of the Russian Federation or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in the east of Ukraine to their homes, relatives, and friends.
We do not allow and reject any attempts by the international community to politicize the International Civilian Initiative “We’ll Bring Them Home Alive” and to politicize the dialogue on its support and implementation.
The only party in whose interests the International Civil Initiative “We’ll Bring Them Home Alive” is being implemented is PEOPLE detained on the territory of foreign states or the territory of self-proclaimed entities in the east of Ukraine and their families.
We must not stop until those in detention find themselves in the loving arms of their family and friends, and we will succeed, however difficult that may seem today.
EN