As human rights violations in the Soviet Union

On November 9, Ukraine marks the fortieth anniversary since the founding of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group – a human rights organization established in Soviet times.

Board member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Vladimir Chemeris Ukraina.ru spoke about how human rights violations in the Soviet Union and Ukraine.

– Why the Ukrainian Helsinki Group celebrates anniversary is November 9, what is this date?

– Then we gathered Ukrainian dissidents headed by Mykola Rudenko and organized the Ukrainian Helsinki Group. I did not belong to her. On it, we heard something, but do not overlap, and led his own dissident activities in the university.

When dissidents were released from prison during the time of “perestroika” and returned to Kiev, they transformed their Ukrainian Helsinki Group into a political party, which was called the Ukrainian Republican Party. Part disagreed, in particular, Chornovil. They then transformed the civil organization “People’s Movement of Ukraine” as a political party.

– Tell us about your dissidence in the Soviet times.

– Opinions about the fact that Ukraine should be independent, there were in the Soviet era. In my family, there was no dissent, but somehow – perhaps because of the works of Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, and other humanistic literature that was available in the Soviet Union – I held such views. At the same time, I adhere to the socialist views. At the university, we first create a secret, informal organizations. I was twice expelled from the university.

– What kind of human rights violations were in the Soviet Union?

– The same, which is now also characteristic of modern Ukraine. Manifestly parallel, albeit with some differences. Of course, there was no freedom of speech, it is a statement of certain views punished, there was an article of the anti-Soviet activities, under which could bring such manifestations. To hold some kind of meeting, which was not sanctioned by the authorities, it was impossible. Freedom of association – to create some opposition groups was simply impossible. This could lead to imprisonment, and led. In my case, it was only 15 days in jail and two expulsion from the university. All of the above me, once again, there is in modern Ukraine, so we are in a sense back in time after the Maidan.

– What are the similarities and differences between the situation then and now? Can you compare the scale of violations?

– Obviously, different atmosphere in the society. Recently I wrote an article about totalitarian tendencies in post-Soviet Ukraine. It deals with the fact that today in Ukraine there is a control statement of the views of the Ukrainians – it is one of the hallmarks of totalitarianism, when everything is controlled.

Legislation currently does not allow Ukrainian state to exercise total control, and the role performed as Hannah Arendt said, a researcher of totalitarianism, “totalitarian movements.” Such as “Azov” that control any meetings or provide lists of undesirables, and other groups. Obviously, the “totalitarian movement” would not have been successful without the cooperation of the authorities.

The Soviet Union was also a control statement opinions, but he carried out the state authorities. In this case, the atmosphere in the Soviet society was not as it is now.

I personally have not seen in the USSR such stukachestva which now divorced Ukraine. It is, of course, then also there, but then it was unacceptable for the vast majority of citizens. Now it is justified by some “patriotic” slogans for snitching encourage and agitate. And the atmosphere in the society more rotten than in the USSR.

Some people are afraid to express their views, writing on Facebook, because they could be imprisoned as Kotsabu Ruslan (Ukrainian journalist who spoke out against the war in the Donbass). But they can just beat radicals or even kill as Olesya Buzinu, Oleg Kalashnikov and others.

– How can I change these trends?

– Of course, the very important role played by those people who are not afraid to express their opinions and views, setting an example to others. But we must take into account the factor of the war, and the so-called “objective enemy” in the terminology of the same Arendt. This war is urgently needed of the current government and the totalitarian movements and forms the basis of their existence. So the first thing you need to stop the war and the change of the government. But in principle, public consciousness is changing, albeit very slowly, but quite significantly. Next maidan or early parliamentary elections may change the situation in Ukraine.

Sourse, 09/11/2016