War is horrible. Both history and recent events show us that the people most impacted are often the least influential over the unfolding events. Whichever continent or region it occurs, it is these innocent people that pay the ultimate price with their lives and livelihoods. Whether it be Gaza, Yemen or the Ukraine, the unimaginable has become the reality for people (people, just like us) living in such places. Lives and livelihoods are being destroyed and continue to be destroyed.
Outside of the horrors of war, it is concerning that the EU is now selectively prejudicing Russian citizens that aren’t politicians, aren’t in the military and seemingly have little to no influence as to what Mr. Putin does or doesn’t do in relation to the Russian aggression against his Ukrainian neighbours. It is easy to take for granted the relative freedom of opinion we have with liberal democracies – a freedom not given to (among many):
- Sergei and Yulia Skiripal – Poisoned by Novochok in Sailsbury, England March 4, 2018 by Russian actors Antoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin.
- Alexander Litvinenko – Poisoned by Polonium-210 in London, England November 1, 2006 following open criticisms of Vladimir Putin and allegations (among many) of the Russian state sponsored assassination of Boris Berezovsky (Russian oligarch).
Against such a regime, is it reasonable to expect Russian citizens to openly criticise and speak out against the Russian aggression in the Ukraine? Chinese Tennis player, Peng Shuai seemed to “step out of line” in fellow Marxist state, China and appeared to have been severely censored ( Peng Shuai: How China censored a tennis star – BBC News). Australian Journalist Cheng Lei is currently on trial for espionage in China, with no defence team allowed. – her crime? Who knows? I would wager that it doesn’t matter what Cheng Lei did or didn’t do or say. And what of Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius (Lithuania) that was hijacked by Belarusian authorities on Sunday, 23rd May 2021 so to arrest journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega (recently given a 6-year gaol term by Belarusian court)? How did “speaking against” their Marxist government work out for them? Not well!
So, what are we to expect from F1 driver Nikita Mazepin and a host of Russian Tennis professionals recently denied their chosen profession? How is this not racial prejudice? How is this reasonable? Is it fair and just that punitive action is and can be taken against individual citizens of any nation for the actions of the leaders of such nations? Where does it end? Can any of us be stripped of our profession and livelihoods in response to the actions of the leaders of our nations? I don’t dispute the need for action against such aggression – I would challenge “who” we are taking action against and “why only this” aggression and not (for example) the war in Yemen, or the countless reports of war crimes and aggression in the Gaza region (by most, if not all sides)? If this is the ”new way forward” then what is the criteria we apply to determining the “who” and “what acts” initiate such action being taken?
Could my career be subject to prejudice on the basis of being an Australian, and thus by association of nationality be subject to the actions of former Australian PM Scott Morrison? I couldn’t say how many Australians’ Mr. Morrison speaks for – He certainly didn’t speak for, nor represent many of my values and/or beliefs. Unlike Russia, the Australian electorate were given the opportunity to vote him out of office – and did so in spades. Furthermore, as a Democratic country, the Australia electorate was able to completely change the political landscape by choosing five off independent female candidates (How a Group of Female Independents Aims to Revive Australian Democracy – The New York Times (nytimes.com) to force reform of a misogynistic parliament. To quote the remarkable Dr. Monique Ryan (new independent for Kooyong (Dr Monique Ryan for Kooyong)): “The independents are here to stay. We felt the government wasn't listening to us, so we’ve changed the government.”
Most Russian citizens have no ability to reform the Russian Political landscape, nor are they permitted to openly criticise the Vladimir Putin government and democratically change the government. Russian citizens do not seem to be afforded opportunities to enact governmental change – so why is it reasonable to castigate and prejudice Russian citizens for the actions of Mr. Vladimir Putin and his government – however heinous his government’s actions are?
I am all for decoupling Europe’s energy needs from Russian gas and for hitting their economy that funds the Russian war machine – a war machine that needs to be shut down and who’s leaders need to be accountable for all war crimes. Going directly after the livelihoods of individuals who are not in government, rather just happen to be nationals of this country- whether celebrities, sportspersons, or other professionals such as, say, engineers – is something we should all be concerned about given the precedent is sets.
Let us not forget that it wasn’t so long ago (2003) that the British electorate was lied to over Iraq’s offensive capability and readiness to use weapons of mass destruction (when no credible link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda could be found). This prefaced the invasion of a foreign country (Iraq) by British and USA forces, and the removal of an entire nation’s political and administrative hierarchy (Saddam Hussein and his Ba’athist government)– with disastrous results that we and the people living in this region are still facing today. I don’t recall UK nationals being denied the right to work during this time when Iraq was being dismantled by USA led forces in their invasion of a sovereign nation. I don’t equate the war in Iraq and the aggression currently against the Ukraine in any way; I only make the point that both were/are unnecessary and unjustified acts of aggression by global super-powers against much less militarily capable states.
The United Nations was founded in 1945 after the Second World War as a mechanism to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Clearly it has failed – like the League of Nations before it. Of that, all governments should be ashamed.
