People First Campaign: Mobilizing Globally for Ukrainian Captives

The "People First!" Initiative

• 🎯 The "People First!" campaign, launched by the Center for Civil Liberties and Memorial, aims to prioritize the immediate, unconditional release of all civilian and military captives in any negotiations to end the war.
• 🤝 This initiative is a collaborative effort with global partners, emphasizing the need for a foundational pillar in peace talks.

Key Groups of Captives

• 🧑‍⚖️ Civilians illegally detained and kidnapped from Ukrainian territory, held in Russian jails without accusation, and denied access to relatives and lawyers.
• ⛓️ Prisoners of war subjected to torture and inhumane conditions that violate the Geneva Conventions.
• 👶 Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia, with efforts to hide their identities and prevent their return.
• 🗣️ Political prisoners, including Russian and Belarusian citizens who have spoken out against the war, facing severe health conditions in detention.

Violations and Prisoner Exchanges

• 🚫 Russia often denies the status of prisoners of war and fails to provide basic necessities or medical aid.
• 💔 Many soldiers return in critical health, requiring extensive rehabilitation, a pattern dating back to 2014.
• 🔄 Prisoner exchanges are a crucial first step, though Russia has sometimes returned individuals not confirmed as captives or even Russian soldiers, highlighting a lack of transparency.

Diplomatic Efforts and Sanctions

• 🇫🇷 France has a history of supporting efforts against Russian political imprisonment, with past engagement from President Macron.
• 🏛️ The campaign targets state representatives, government officials, and parliaments to integrate these concerns into diplomatic dialogues.
• ⚖️ Sanctions are seen as a potential leverage point for negotiations, but they must be applied with clear rules and reciprocal behavior from Russia, not given back without significant concessions or adherence to agreements.

Ukrainian Resilience and Future Outlook

• 🛡️ Ukraine is committed to defending itself through various means, including military, cyber, and technological advancements, despite facing a larger adversary.
• 🇪🇺 Joining the EU is a primary goal for Ukraine, representing a future of rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
• 🕊️ While NATO membership is a consideration, the immediate priorities are security, defense, and the eventual return to a peaceful life, free from occupation and aggression.