UDIK Udruženje za društvena istraživanja i komunikacije
The Association for Social Research and Communication (UDIK)reminds the public that February 24 marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation”. Soon after, explosions were heard near Ukrainian cities. The city of Kharkiv, on the eastern Ukrainian border, was attacked before dawn. Three years later, Ukraine has suffered thousands of deaths. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), at least 12,654 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 29,392 injured. Children accounted for 673 of those killed and 1,865 of those injured.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been an increase in the activities of numerous right-wing and pro-Russian organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rallies are being organized and support for the Russian aggression is being expressed. This is especially visible during the celebration of the unconstitutional Republika Srpska Day, when war criminals were glorified, returnees were threatened and intimidated, and warmongering public speeches were given. Hatred and intolerance were spreading.
The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced war and genocide and know what it is like to lose loved ones. However, they continue to elect those whose political agendas insist on divisions, intolerance and warmongering rhetoric. International politics is in crisis, which is visibly reflected in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As a civil society, we oppose policies that promote division and divert attention from important social issues with warmongering narratives. We appeal to the political options of our country, especially the international community, to work harder to suppress such policies and ideas. We appeal to citizens to be more actively involved in the decision-making process, because future of their children depends on it. Only together can we work to strengthen a solidary society based on democracy and European values.
On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we express solidarity with all victims of the Russian regime, and especially with the Ukrainian people.
