“Today, we have no allies in the struggle against rushism, except for Ukraine”: the outcomes of the Rights of the Colonized Nations of the Russian Federation international conference

On May 17, the Rights of the Colonized Nations of the Russian Federation international conference was held in Kyiv, organized by the special commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for interaction with national liberation movements together with Free Nations League.

Members of the Ukrainian Parliament, diplomats, experts on decolonization and  Free Nations League representatives discussed the constant violations of human rights and the rights of nations by the colonial imperial regime, approaches to realizing the rights of nations to self-determination, practical aspects of decolonization and its impact on global security. Six representatives of Free Nations League participated in the conference: Syres Bolyaen, Ruslan Gabbasov, Dorzho Dugarov, Said Ismaghilov, Aigul Lion, Ibraghim Yaganov.

“There is a growing understanding in the world that the cause of the war is the imperialist, colonialist nature of the Russian state,” Maria Mezentseva, the head of the parliamentary commission, noted in her opening speech. “The European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have already recognized in their resolutions that Russia is the colonial empire, that its de-imperialization and decolonization are necessary conditions for positive changes in Russia,” she said.

Ukrainians have always understood that Ukraine will not be free until the other nations of the empire are free, so our slogan has always been “For our and your freedom!”

Ibraghim Yaganov, Chairman of the Political Council of Free Circassia movement said that the fierce resistance of Ukrainians to Russian aggression gave a chance to gain freedom and independence to all enslaved nations.

“Today, we have no allies in the struggle against rushism, except for Ukraine,” Ruslan Gabbasov, the head of the Committee of the Bashkir National Movement Abroad, emphasized. “All countries are bound by treaties, fears, restrictions, and only Ukraine is struggling to the death with our enemy – the Putin regime,” he said.

Said Ismaghilov, a member of Free Nations League and the Tatar national movement, drew attention to the fact that the formation of national movements within the Russian Federation, under the conditions of the current regime, is impossible. This mission is entrusted to political emigration and the diaspora.

Dorzho Dugarov, Advisor on International Affairs of Free Nations League, noted, “Ukraine is an example for us of the desire for freedom, perseverance in struggle and fidelity to democracy. But Ukraine is also our first ally in international politics: Ukrainians, from their historical experience, know what imperial oppression and genocide mean, and they can explain this to politicians and nations of other countries.”

The outcome of the conference was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the special commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Free Nations League.