Video
08 December 2022

Ukraine: human rights voices

In this video, human rights leaders, experts and activists share their views on the human rights impact of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

Transcript

  • "The Ukrainian war is a disaster for human rights in the first place."
    Michael O'Flaherty, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
     
  • "The human rights violations happening in Ukraine and the occupied territories, but then also the migration and refugee flows."
    Sirpa Rautio, Director, Finnish Human Rights Centre
     
  • "There have been well-documented attacks on civilians, on civilian facilities, on health facilities and education."
    Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, UN Human Rights Office
     
  • "But there are enormous human rights implications beyond the borders. I think of the millions, something like 8 or 9 million Ukrainians who've moved into the EU."
    Michael O'Flaherty, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
     
  • "It has been mostly women and children in most vulnerable situations, all of a sudden victimized by illicit trafficking of human beings and exploitation networks."
    Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Chair, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, European Parliament
     
  • "What we're looking into are the rights of people who have left Ukraine and that they really do get everything they need to get."
    Tena Šimonović Einwalter, Ombudswoman, Croatia and Chair, Equinet
     
  • "There's the issue of unequal treatment for different groups."
    Michael O'Flaherty, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
     
  • "The lack of focusing the measures on the most vulnerable groups of people, including young people, so young LGBTQ+ people, young Roma people."
    Paulína Jalakšová, Board Member, European Youth Forum
     
  • "There is systemic racism when it comes to the way we welcome refugees."
    Bénédicte Charrier, Advocacy Officer, Chemins d'Avenirs
     
  • "And how easy it is for Ukrainian refugees to be integrated and included in European countries is something that is really great and that should happen with every other refugee, every other person who is seeking a safe country, education, etc.."
    Noomi Anyanwu, Founder and Chairwoman, Black Voices Volksbegehren
     
  • "People have responded generously because they can identify with those who have been damaged, who have been harmed, who've been tortured, who have been forced to leave their homes. The challenge for me, for Europe would be, could we universalize that sense of identity?"
    Paul Tighe, Secretary General, Pontifical Council for Culture
     
  • "We need to stop violation of human rights, which is done every single day."
    Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Gdansk Mayor
     
  • "Stand up for democratic institutions and the really basic things like the rule of law."
    John Morrison, CEO, Institute for Human Rights and Business
     
  • "We stand united against those that spread division, against those that spread hatred."
    Umar Al Qadri, Chairperson, Irish Muslim Council