Joint appeal to Russia

IGFM welcomes joint efforts for abducted Ukrainian civilian prisoners in the Hessian state parliament

Frankfurt am Main/ Wiesbaden, 20 December 2024 – Members of parliament from the various democratic groups in the Hessian state parliament have sent a joint letter to the relevant authorities in Russia calling for the release of Ukrainian civilian prisoners.  They also appeal to the Russian human rights commissioner Moskalkova to allow the families of the abducted to make contact and to grant them legal assistance.

Some of the relatives do not know where their family members are, how they are and what they are accused of. Finally, the MPs are also calling for the conditions of detention to be investigated and for those responsible for the hostage-taking to be brought to justice.

“It is a good sign, especially in these times, that MPs across party lines are standing up together for human rights and for Ukraine. Many human rights violations, torture, rape and abduction of people are being deplored as a result of Russia’s attack, which violates international law. We need the support of the democratic parties in Germany and, of course, society as a whole. Making the individual fates visible and publicising them will put pressure on the authorities in Russia. This is an opportunity that should be used to help people. Anyone who stands up against human rights violations is also standing up for democracy and a better world,” says Valerio Krüger from the International Society for Human Rights.

Signatories of the petition:

Martina Feldmayer, Miriam Dahlke, Nina Eisenhardt, Vanessa Gronemann, Kaya Kinkel, Katy Walther (Bündnis 90 /DIE GRÜNEN), Dr Daniela Sommer, Bijan Kaffenberger, Lisa Gnadl, (SPD), Yanki Pürsün (FDP) and Max Schad /CDU).

You can find the petition here:

Here you can find the profiles of Ukrainian civilian prisoners: