OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) on June 15 called on all Canadians to support the #RedCard4Putin campaign, which is drawing international attention to the many crimes of Russia’s regime.
During the FIFA World Cup (June 14-July 15), the #RedCard4Putin campaign will issue multiple “red cards” to the Russian regime for its countless violations of international law and abuse of internationally recognized human rights. The campaign seeks to bring international awareness about the crimes of the Russian government with the objective of securing the immediate release of all political prisoners unjustly detained by Russia.
“Over 70 Ukrainian political prisoners are illegally jailed by Russia,” stated Denys Volkov, Canadian coordinator of the #RedCard4Putin campaign, a former member of the FIFA 2015 Women’s World Cup local organizing committee and former vice-president of the Manitoba Soccer Association.
“Russia is waging war on Ukraine, shot down Flight MH17, and carried out a chemical weapon attack on the soil of the U.K. We call on all people of conscience to speak loudly against the crimes of the Russian regime,” Mr. Volkov said.
The UCC is calling on Canadians to spread the message of the #RedCard4Putin campaign. The campaign will regularly publish materials on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RedCard4Putin/.
The #RedCard4Putin campaign is an initiative of the International Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR), a coalition of NGOs and individuals around the globe who are committed to defending and advocating for the human rights and freedom. The UCC is a founding member of the ICHR.
“At a time when Russia wages war against its neighbors, supports the Assad regime, which uses chemical weapons against its own people, and illegally imprisons over 150 political prisoners, including 70 Ukrainian citizens, it is unacceptable that Russia is hosting the FIFA World Cup,” stated Paul Grod, president of the ICHR, vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress and national president of the UCC. “The #RedCard4Putin campaign will draw the world’s attention to the many crimes of the Kremlin and pressure Russia to end its ongoing violations.”