КАТАЛОГ СATALOG

ВІТАННЯ GREETINGS
Inna Pidluska
Deputy Executive Director, International Renaissance Foundation
At the end of February the OSCE presented
the 2016 Democracy Defender Award for
‘exceptional contributions to the promotion
of democracy and the defense of human
rights’ to Oleksandra Matviychuk, a Ukrainian
human rights activist. Since last year the
number of challenges to human rights in
the world has continued to rise, but this
award is a kind of recognition of Ukrainian
civil society’s exemplary commitment and
consistency in defending and expanding the
space of freedom and the rule of law.
Two years ago Ukrainians proved at the
Maidan that human rights, freedom and
dignity are the top values. However, the
Revolution of Dignity will continue – until
a truly European new Ukraine is built: with
a responsible effective and non-corrupt
government and a free, open society, with
genuine strife and capacity to uphold its key
values and, based on them, reform the state.
And until there is no more impunity for
the brutal human rights abuses during the
Maidan and the crimes against humanity in
the occupied territories of Crimea and the
Donbas.
For 13 years Docudays.UA has been telling
the stories of people who challenged the
unjust system. Docudays.UA documentaries
have given courage and the will to fight for
freedom and resist evil. This is the generation
of a new Ukraine that we seek. I am grateful
to the Festival that more and more people
from outside the ‘traditional’ human rights
defenders’ circles are standing up to protect
human rights and civil liberties. Such
people are not afraid of asking themselves
and the world some difficult questions. They
express their civic maturity by respecting
human dignity and demanding change in
the interest of society. This is particularly
important today, when the undeclared war
is ongoing, when the country suffers from
the economic and political crises, and the
‘old’ Ukraine continues ignoring human
rights and clinging to the corrupt ‘schemes’.
This year’s festival is titled ‘Beyond Illusions’.
This is a good reflection of the important
changes in people’s attitudes to themselves
and the country. However, Ukraine should
not just get rid of its illusions and proclaim
change: it needs active citizens, able to
create and move the changes forward, take
responsibility, withstand challenges and
win. Echoing Gandhi: “Be the change that
you wish to see in the world.” Docudays UA
is a source of inspiration for them.
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