After the swap of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia on September 7, umbrella organizations of the diaspora released statements reacting to the breaking news. Following are the texts e-mailed to The Ukrainian Weekly.
Ukrainian World Congress
Earlier today, 35 Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed by Russia returned home to Ukraine. For their freedom, Ukraine turned over to Russia 35 persons detained in Ukraine.
“We welcome the release of the illegally jailed Ukrainian citizens and sailors,” stated Paul Grod, UWC president. “We congratulate President Zelenskyy for his successful efforts in securing the release and for his commitment to free the many remaining Ukrainian political prisoners who remain illegally incarcerated in Russian jails.”
“Ukraine had to pay a high price for the freedom of its citizens – many of those turned over to Russia today are perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine and are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. We call on the international community to bring these criminals to justice.”
Today’s action once again shows that Russia continues to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine.
UWC calls on the international community to:
- demand the Russian government immediately release all remaining Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed in Russian prisons; and
- immediately implement sanctions against Russian officials responsible for these deplorable violations of inalienable human rights.
The 24 Ukrainian sailors included in today’s exchange have been subject to illegal and extrajudicial proceedings, and three months ago ordered to be freed by the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
UWC expresses its deep solidarity and profound admiration for the courage of Oleh Sentsov, Volodymyr Balukh and all other Ukrainian political prisoners, victims of a repressive, brutal Russian regime that routinely and systematically flouts international law, universal human rights, and wages wars of aggression against its neighbors.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Earlier today 35 Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed by Russia returned home to Ukraine. For their freedom, Ukraine exchanged 35 persons detained in Ukraine.
“We are pleased to see the release of the illegally jailed Ukrainian citizens and sailors. However we remain concerned about the plight of the many remaining Ukrainian political prisoners who continue to be illegally incarcerated in Russian jails,” said Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
“Ukraine paid a high price for the freedom of its citizens – many of those turned over to Russia today are perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including, apparently, Volodymyr Tsemakh, a key suspect in the downing of Flight MH-17, which was shot down by the Russian military in 2014.”
Despite today’s exchange, Russia continues to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine. UCC calls on Canada and its allies to demand the Russian government immediately release all remaining Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed in Russian prisons.
A significant increase in pressure on Russia from the international community, including Canada, is needed to secure the freedom of all Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed by Russia.
The 24 Ukrainian sailors included in today’s exchange have been subjected to illegal and extrajudicial proceedings, and three months ago were ordered to be freed by the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
The UCC expresses its deep solidarity and profound admiration for the courage of Oleh Sentsov, Volodymyr Balukh and all other Ukrainian political prisoners, victims of a repressive, brutal Russian regime that routinely and systematically flouts international law, universal human rights, and wages wars of aggression against its neighbors.
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), representing over 25 regional and national associations of Ukrainian Americans, and the interests of nearly 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, welcomes the return of 35 Ukrainian citizens, which had been illegally imprisoned by the Russian Federation.
We applaud the efforts of the president of Ukraine and all who worked tirelessly in this endeavor.
The UCCA continues to call for the immediate release of all Ukrainian prisoners illegally held in Russian captivity. This return of 24 Ukrainian sailors came nearly three months after the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea had ordered their release.
Only through continued, coordinated international pressure, including increasing EU and United States sanctions, will the Russian Federation be held accountable for violating international law and remove itself from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.
#FreeUkrainianPOWs #LetMyPeopleGo #StopRussianAggression.