Coming together to defend our rights

In 2000, Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia, the vast country that stretches from Europe all the way beyond China. Since then, Mr Putin has made sure that Russians are not free to change their minds and vote him out or contradict him. This year, when he attacked Russia’s neighbour Ukraine, Russians who protested were arrested. 

So what can an ordinary person do? 

WoW! News spoke to Emilia Koustova. She is a member of a Russian organisation called Memorial. This month, it was one of the winners of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize – a big award that encourages people who try to make the world safer and fairer for everyone.

“It gives you strength”

We asked Emilia how Memorial could help Russians who are unhappy. After all, just a few months ago, Mr Putin closed down its offices. Emilia agrees that it’s not a “miracle solution”.

But, she says, first of all, the fact that Memorial exists encourages Russians who feel frustrated and angry. Coming together in a group makes people feel less alone. “It gives you strength,” says Emilia, who grew up in Russia and now lives in France.

Second, even a small group gives you many more possibilities to change things. “Of course, there are some things you can do alone,” she says. “But you find that even if there only five of you, or 10 or 20, you can really achieve a lot.”

Freedom means peace

 The Nobel Prize committee said it was also important that Memorial showed the world that many Russians don’t agree with Mr Putin’s war in Ukraine. It said that leaders who don’t respect human rights at home are much more likely to make wars abroad. 

Emilia agrees and says that she’s hopeful that Russians will win back their freedom – and that when they do, Russia will be a peaceful neighbour to the rest of the world.

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