Header Europa in Verantwortung Juli2026

We warmly invite you to our event on the human rights situation in the frontline and occupied areas of Ukraine.

Europe’s Responsibility – Human Rights Violations in Frontline and Occupied Areas in Ukraine

Date: 7 July 2026, 6.00 pm
Doors open: 5.30 pm
Venue: Kirschenhof – The House of History
Address: 27 Dürener Straße, 52249 Eschweiler

Under the guiding principle that “Human rights are the foundation of Europe”, the Europaverein GPB e. V. is presenting the European Social Prize for the 30th time this year. In the run-up to the award ceremony on 3 October 2026, the Europaverein GPB e. V., the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Blau-Gelbes Kreuz e. V. are organising this information and discussion event on the human rights situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. We cordially invite you to this event:

Dear interested parties,
Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine has led to serious human rights violations in the occupied territories and areas close to the front line. Numerous reports document the abduction of civilians, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and other violations of fundamental human rights.

The term ‘human safari’ has come to symbolise the contempt for human life, brutality and deep cynicism with which the Russian armed forces are targeting the civilian population. These systematic human rights violations highlight the need for sustained international attention and decisive political action.

Together with experts in the field of human rights and those affected, we will discuss the current situation and explore the key question:

What responsibility does Europe bear, and what specific measures are needed to effectively combat these crimes?

The event will cover the following topics, amongst others:

  • • The current human rights situation in the occupied and frontline areas of Ukraine
    • The ‘human safari’ phenomenon and its impact on the civilian population
    • Abductions, arbitrary detentions and other documented human rights violations
    • Europe’s role in supporting victims and prosecuting war crimes
    • Opportunities for political and civil society engagement

Europapreis Wittlich

Photo: Andreas Röchter, Aachener Zeitung

From the left in the foreground: Stephan Löhmann, Deputy Chair of the Europaverein; the future award winner, Katrin Bornmüller; Carmen Jondral-Schuler of the ISHR and current head of the Wittlich working group; Elfriede Meurer, First Deputy Mayor of the district town of Wittlich; and, in the background, active volunteers from the ISHR.

Program

5.30–6.00 pm
Reception featuring the duet ‘MaPoli’

6.00–6.05 pm
Musical performance
Olga Hryhoruk

6.05–6.10 pm
Opening address
Andrea Wolff
President of the Europaverein GPB e. V.

6.10–6.15 pm
Opening address
Heinz Thoma
Spokesperson for cultural and social policy for the SPD group on Eschweiler City Council

6.15–6.20 pm
Musical performance
Olga Hryhoruk

6.20–6.40 pm
Lecture: ‘Human Safari’
Dr Kateryna Kravchenko
Blau-Gelbes Kreuz e. V.

6.40–7.00 pm
Lecture: ‘Abducted Civilians’
Artem Kryvulia
International Society for Human Rights e. V.

7.00–7.15 pm
Musical performance
Olga Hryhoruk

Moderation

Lina Shreim

The event is organised by Europaverein GPB e. V., the International Society for Human Rights (IGFM) and the Blau-Gelbes Kreuz Deutsch-Ukrainischer Verein e. V.

We look forward to your participation and to discussing Europe’s responsibility in the face of serious human rights violations in Ukraine.