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(Statement of Moscow bureau for human rights)  Celebration of the Victory Day in Lvov turned out to be fierce skirmishes, almost slaughter in the city between war veterans and Ukrainian nationalists. Grievously enough, but these events could be expected; moreover the grandiose scandal became a logical result of development of political situation in Ukraine during recent decade.
Confrontation that takes place for a long time is caused by two main circumstances. One of them is of objective character and connected with complicated historical collisions in history of Western Ukraine. It was in Western Ukraine that collaborationism with Nazi occupants became apparent mostly strongly, and division “Galicia” was created under the aegis of SS. Collaborators killed enormous number of Jews, and blood of Soviet partisans and many peaceful civilians is on their hands. On the other hand, Western Ukrainians lived through many sufferings before the beginning of the war; Soviet authorities sent thousands of them to concentration camps that became identified with Russia in consciousness of the “Westerners” for many decades.
The confrontation already lasts for a long time, and special skill of the authorities and extremely flexible and wise approach were necessary here for uniting, reconciling the nation and coming out of long-term crisis adequately. Unfortunately not much was done on this way. We were witnesses of the facts that monuments to OUN members were erected, that the title of the hero of Ukraine was given to Stepan Bandera, and then this decision was repudiated. Anti-Semitic and anti-Russian organizations were functioning for many years. Racism, chauvinism, and anti-Russian hysterics just increased in Ukraine. Convulsive ill-conceived actions of authorities just rocked the boat of public tranquility.
Disturbances accompanied celebration of May 9 every year but this year the events became of mass and so of especially dangerous character. And again either Lvov authorities or republican Ukrainian authorities did practically nothing for preventing them. Symbols were hung out over the city administration building that were perceived unequivocally as Soviet ones. Law on official hoisting of the Victory Banner on May 9 together with the state flag of Ukraine that had to be signed by the president V. Yanukovich still remains unsigned. Participants of processions had traumatic arms with them that were used and led to injuries. Police was inactive.
The whole world saw the shots where nationalists tore the St. George ribbons off the veterans. These events can’t be called but national disgrace of Ukraine sixty six years after the termination of the World War II.
But let’s look at ourselves in the mirror. To the greatest regret, development of events in Russia can’t serve as a positive example for Ukraine.
It should be admitted that in our country that suffered enormous sacrifices in combat against Nazism misanthropic ideology still finds understanding and support of a part of society. In Russia national-radical groups openly act, and their nationalism comes to the simplest formula – to kill all the “non-Russians”.
Why such phenomena are possible in the country that conquered Nazism? Psychological, economic, and social consequences of dozens years of Communist regime are not eradicated yet. Objective problems of economy, consequences of disintegration of the USSR, gigantic level of corruption, imperfection of legislation, property stratification of people, weakness of democratic movement and liberal parties, of anti-fascist organizations, insufficient support of culture, science and education … Unsolved problems enable arousal of the meanest manifestations of ethnic hatred, desire of a “strong hand” and, as a consequence, formation of youth radical groups of the most right-wing orientation. Tragic events of December 11, 2010 at Manezhnaya square became a peak of nationalistic activity when hundreds football fans arranged slaughters. It was an explosive mixture of ethno-phobia and social protest.
Despite the fact that court sentences on the cases connected with ethnic dissension are passed considerably more often, it causes bewilderment that one of participants of slaughters at Manezhnaya square who had beaten a Caucasian got suspended sentence i.e. actually suffered no punishment. Almost no attention is paid to hundreds books, brochures, newspapers of the most disgusting anti-human orientation that are freely disseminated in the country. Moscow office of public prosecutor did not find motifs of ethnic dissension in “Protocols of the Eldest of Zion” that were acknowledged an anti-Semitic fabrication long ago. Moreover, even the officials that are partially responsible for ethnic relations and migratory policy in the country sometimes venture to make racist statements – like for example the former press secretary of the Federal migratory service (FMS) Konstantin Poltoranin.
Lack of corresponding education, of real political discussion, of competitiveness of political parties and “puppet” justice hamper efficient combat against neo-Nazism and aggressive xenophobia a lot. This all serves not upbringing of a person in the spirit of respect to another person but on the contrary rouses ethno-phobia based upon crude ignorance and prejudices.
We take care of our war veterans poorly. Resident of Yelan-Koleno village of Voronezh region Vasily Zasorin sent his orders and medals to the head of the government on the eve of the Victory Day. Being awarded to the order of the Red Star, order of the Patriotic war, medal “For courage”, medal “For capture of Koenigsberg”, medal “For victory over Germany”, during recent 50 years the veteran lived in ramshackle house where there is no either water or gas or heating or sewerage. This is one of conspicuous examples of disregard, disrespect, and neglect towards the Soldiers of the Victory.
For not permitting development of events according to the worst scenario, it is necessary for the whole society – authorities, public, and human rights activists – to withstand neo-Nazism, xenophobia, and intolerance and to give rise to beginnings of respect for personality, state, labor and law in the Russian society. And Russia must do this together with Ukraine and other CIS republics.
Only then we would be worthy of memory of millions soldiers who gave their lives at the fronts of the Great Patriotic war, for the sake of ourselves. |
