Standing Firm: Partnering with the Center for Civil Liberties and the Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Ukraine

USCJ is privileged to partner with Oleksandra Matviichuk and her organization, the Centre for Civil Rights in Kyiv, on various projects. On October 15, 2024, USCJ’s executive director, Anastasia Aseeva, and I attended by invitation a moderated discussion with Ms. Matviichuk at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. Ms. Matviichuk  is a forceful defender of human rights and for Ukranian freedom who impressed me with her realism and steely-eyed determination. The moderator repeatedly tried to get her to provide a lukewarm pablum on compromise with the Russians that might seem more palatable to many Western audiences, but she refused to take the bait. She explained that what drives Putin is a fear of freedom and to try to destroy freedom, the Russians have tortured many Ukranians. If Putin is not stopped here, he will continue with relentless attacks on other sovereign states. The Ukranian conflict is part of a global war on freedom and human rights being conducted by Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and their ilk. Unfortunately, international institutions have broken down and cannot be relied upon to save Ukraine. In this case, only the brave armed resistance of the Ukrainians can save their country and to do that, Ukraine needs both offensive and defensive weapons.

Both Ms. Matviichuk and we at USCJ see eye to eye on the need to vigorously counter human rights abuses. It was an exhilarating session and we look forward to a long  and successful collaboration with Oleksandra and her organization.