29 January 2025
by Sergei Davidis
Source: Facebook
The People First campaign was launched today.
Amid declarations of the imminent cessation of hostilities, dozens of NGOs from Ukraine, Russia, and many other countries around the world have united to demand:
In accordance with international law, all Ukrainian civilians captured and unlawfully detained by the Russian armed forces, including those sentenced by Russian courts, must be released immediately and unconditionally, with the opportunity to return home. Those whose homes are in Russian-controlled territories should be granted the right to relocate to areas controlled by Ukrainian authorities if they wish.
All illegally transferred or deported children must be returned to Ukraine.
Timely repatriation of deported Ukrainian convicts and patients of closed health institutions, such as nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals, must be ensured.
All possible efforts should be made to return prisoners of war to their homeland as soon as possible, through exchanges or other means, no later than the conclusion of active hostilities, as required by the Geneva Convention.
Russian political prisoners, already sentenced to terms of imprisonment or held in pretrial detention for anti-war statements or actions, must be released and allowed unrestricted freedom of movement, including the right to leave the country if they wish.
An independent international body must be established to coordinate these processes, monitor compliance with international humanitarian law, and provide regular, transparent reports on progress, including updates on the release of prisoners and adherence to humanitarian standards.
Russia must immediately grant UN agencies and the ICRC full access to all prisoners and unlawfully transferred or deported children.
A link to the campaign website is here.
Translated by James Lofthouse
