The consequences of the war in Ukraine are increasingly affecting broad strata of the population – and with each passing week it becomes increasingly clear that the ceasefire terms proposed today do not solve the underlying problems. This places a special responsibility on human rights defenders and members of the French parliament to propose real solutions that can lead to a sustainable and just peace in Europe.
On March 12, Russian and Ukrainian anti-war activists met with La France Insoumise MPs in the National Assembly building. The discussion focused on the impact of the protracted war on the citizens of both countries, the injustice of repression and mobilization, and the need to change European policy towards the anti-war movement. During the meeting, a draft resolution of the National Assembly was presented calling for a general political amnesty – both in Russia and Ukraine.
The president of the Solidarité FreeAzat association, Maria-Laetitia Garric, and the Russian deserter Alexander Sterlyadnikov spoke in detail about the repressions against the opposition, about torture, arrests and the humiliating procedure of quitting the war for those who refused to kill.
Alexey Sakhnin outlined the growing internal contradictions within the pro-regime camp in Russia, caused by a potential “deal” between Putin and Trump. He stressed the need for a broad amnesty and support for deserters as a prerequisite for the emergence of a real alternative to dictatorship within Russia itself.
PSL activist Andrei Konowalow spoke about massive and systematic human rights violations during mobilization in Ukraine: kidnapping men on the streets, illegal detention for ransom, torture, forced service and sending to assault brigades as punishment for public disobedience. These practices, widely documented by Ukrainian media, remain unpunished – and are ignored by European media and the political establishment. PSL activist Vlad called for the formation of such an architecture of post-war relations that can guarantee sustainable peace, and not be limited to a formal truce.
A document was presented containing statistics, evidence and specific demands developed by PSL within the framework of the “Peace from Below” coalition.
Among them:
- support for the opposition, deserters and conscientious objectors;
- legalization of left-wing and anti-war parties;
- combating far-right and war crimes;
- strengthening humanitarian and legal support for anti-war Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians.
LFI MP Sofia Chikirou thanked those present for the important information that reinforces their parliamentary position: amnesty and support for anti-war and opposition forces on both sides of the front is not only a humanistic step, but also the only way to real civil reconciliation.
For our part, we want to emphasize: participation in parliamentary hearings is important, but not enough. European society and politicians must know the truth about what is happening. And for this, the anti-war movement must be active, loud and brave. We must not just talk – we must be heard. Media pressure, political participation, street activity – all these are tools with which we can change the agenda. Only in this way do we have a chance for peace with basic rights and freedoms.
