
An international human rights project called “True Prisoners of Putin: Political Prisoners of Captive Nations,” was launched in Tallinn on Jan 22. The initiative was organized by the Kyiv-based Anti-imperial Block of Nations (ABN).
The presentation in Estonia’s capital was supported by the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia (CUE).
“Events are also planned in Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania,” said Vira Konyk, head of CUE.
The presentation took place at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom, complete with exhibition items and an opportunity to screen a documentary film. The exhibition and film cast light on those who’ve been imprisoned by the Kremlin in captive nations.
Embassy representatives, human rights activists, and journalists were in attendance.
“It’s crucial to bring the truth about the real prisoners of the Putin regime to the global community through diplomats, lawmakers, and the media. The oppressed nations of Russia are allies of Ukraine in its struggle against Russian invaders,” said Oleh Vitvitsky, ABN’s Executive Director.
ABN’s leader Oleg Medunitsya stressed the importance of supporting national liberation movements within Russia to undermine the Russian regime from within.
“Although these movements are not yet large or powerful, remember that the collapse of the Soviet Union began with a small group of dissidents,” he said.
Human rights activists Yevgeniya Chirikova and Anna Zueva shared their experience of the Kremlin’s persecution of free speech and discussed imprisoned representatives from Russia’s captive nations, many of whom they know personally.
Photos: Courtesy of Vira Konyk