Three days of Europe’s Frayed Borders have passed very fast. They were very intensive, emotional, inspiring.
8 active women from different countries, as: Ukraine - Crimea (2), Russia, Armenia, Poland (Belgium), Lithuania, France, Greece, were invited by the Foundation Prinsessendag in co-operation with the Foundation Samalas, to participate at the conference entitled “Vrouwenportretten; Aan Europa’s rafelende randen” in Assen, the Netherlands, from 13 – 15 March 2015. The event was founded by the Municipal of Assen, where the first day guests were visiting the City Hall of Assen to meet with Marco Out, the Mayor of Assen, and other representatives of municipality.
The Historical Human Rights walk was organized in the framework of the conference. During this walk the Holocaust history was told by an old person, an eyewitness of the genocide of Jews.
The conference started by presentation of 8 activists and main other guests. The event was attended by politicians, people from different communities and civilians, youngsters, NGOs' representatives, local journalists.
About 100 participants were invited to attend 4 workshops on different topics, the speakers of which were invited woman. Activists had to share their experience on working in their civil society and organizations, defending human rights, and struggling against injustice in their countries.
Me, representative of the Crimean Tatars and Youth Council, which was active before the annexation of Crimean territory by the Russian Federation, Aleksandra Matviychuk, an Activist of Euromaidan-SOS in Kiev, and Elena Shakhova, representative of the Human Rights organization in St.Petersburg (Russia), were speakers at one workshop, naming countries we are coming from.
As many now know what has happened in Crimea last year, but do not know the current situation, because none of the international organizations have access to the Crimean territory to observe the human rights violations, and the journalists are not covering the situation there, mass media is “silent” in this issue, waiting for the big statements made by the politicians. And focus of the European Union and western countries is not on Crimea anymore.
Even though this event gave us opportunity to speak up and raise awareness of the international communities and politicians on what is going on in Crimea, with its indigenous people – Crimean Tatars, Ukraine, War on the Eastern Part, lack of international attention, and human rights violations in Russia, as the organizations dealing with these issues and getting grands from Europe, are registered as international agents.
Our workshop was attended by Olexander Horin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who also was actively answering audience's questions on the Russian propaganda, influence it makes to the population.
Beside social and political issues we were addressing issues with cultural and art. Our group had a chance to visit the Drents Museum of Assen, the exhibition of a well-known painter and theoretician Kazimir Malevich. He was a follower of geometric abstract art and the originator of the avantgarde, Suprematist movement.
The next day, March14, the Film Festival of Assen was taking place and we were invited to the premiers of two movies. Dividing into two groups and watching the movies about human rights violations in different countries, human rights defenders told the audience their observations and expressions, also answering to the questions of the audience.
The same day 8 ladies met with Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 4 activists were invited to the panel discussion, each of whom reported on the situation in their countries and shared best experiences and activities implemented by the organizations.
Mr. Koenders expressed his interest on Crimea and the Crimean Tatars, and I have reported about human rights violations in Crimea against this minority group. I noted that it is important to raise this issue on international level, and Minister promised to do so.
After the meeting activist were invited to have a traditional dinner with Mr. Koenders at one of the organizers of the conference, Ralph du Long.
On March 15, departure day, we went to the protestant church, which is very modern in their services. That was my first attendance of the service in my life, because I'm Muslim by religion, and it was very interesting. To understand everything, we were given the translation of the service. And even there we shared our concerns, and answered to the religion community's questions. Children in the church made for us special presents “golden fish”, which means to have food to live and continue our activities.
I would like to express my special thanks to the Foundation Prinsessendag, all those women in this institution, Thilla Franken, Ralph du Long, Mariette Verdaasdonk, and all people who were with us during the event. And thanks to the sponsors of the event, the biggest sponsor - Hotel of Assen, which hosted us during the conference. My special thanks to all our ladies. Thank you for your support and understanding, and the most important – for the inspiration.
All photographs provided by Johan N. Kuiper. Link: www.johanniels.com.
Nara Nariman
8 active women from different countries, as: Ukraine - Crimea (2), Russia, Armenia, Poland (Belgium), Lithuania, France, Greece, were invited by the Foundation Prinsessendag in co-operation with the Foundation Samalas, to participate at the conference entitled “Vrouwenportretten; Aan Europa’s rafelende randen” in Assen, the Netherlands, from 13 – 15 March 2015. The event was founded by the Municipal of Assen, where the first day guests were visiting the City Hall of Assen to meet with Marco Out, the Mayor of Assen, and other representatives of municipality.
The Historical Human Rights walk was organized in the framework of the conference. During this walk the Holocaust history was told by an old person, an eyewitness of the genocide of Jews.
The conference started by presentation of 8 activists and main other guests. The event was attended by politicians, people from different communities and civilians, youngsters, NGOs' representatives, local journalists.
About 100 participants were invited to attend 4 workshops on different topics, the speakers of which were invited woman. Activists had to share their experience on working in their civil society and organizations, defending human rights, and struggling against injustice in their countries.
Me, representative of the Crimean Tatars and Youth Council, which was active before the annexation of Crimean territory by the Russian Federation, Aleksandra Matviychuk, an Activist of Euromaidan-SOS in Kiev, and Elena Shakhova, representative of the Human Rights organization in St.Petersburg (Russia), were speakers at one workshop, naming countries we are coming from.
As many now know what has happened in Crimea last year, but do not know the current situation, because none of the international organizations have access to the Crimean territory to observe the human rights violations, and the journalists are not covering the situation there, mass media is “silent” in this issue, waiting for the big statements made by the politicians. And focus of the European Union and western countries is not on Crimea anymore.
Even though this event gave us opportunity to speak up and raise awareness of the international communities and politicians on what is going on in Crimea, with its indigenous people – Crimean Tatars, Ukraine, War on the Eastern Part, lack of international attention, and human rights violations in Russia, as the organizations dealing with these issues and getting grands from Europe, are registered as international agents.
Our workshop was attended by Olexander Horin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who also was actively answering audience's questions on the Russian propaganda, influence it makes to the population.
Beside social and political issues we were addressing issues with cultural and art. Our group had a chance to visit the Drents Museum of Assen, the exhibition of a well-known painter and theoretician Kazimir Malevich. He was a follower of geometric abstract art and the originator of the avantgarde, Suprematist movement.
The next day, March14, the Film Festival of Assen was taking place and we were invited to the premiers of two movies. Dividing into two groups and watching the movies about human rights violations in different countries, human rights defenders told the audience their observations and expressions, also answering to the questions of the audience.
The same day 8 ladies met with Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 4 activists were invited to the panel discussion, each of whom reported on the situation in their countries and shared best experiences and activities implemented by the organizations.
Mr. Koenders expressed his interest on Crimea and the Crimean Tatars, and I have reported about human rights violations in Crimea against this minority group. I noted that it is important to raise this issue on international level, and Minister promised to do so.
After the meeting activist were invited to have a traditional dinner with Mr. Koenders at one of the organizers of the conference, Ralph du Long.
On March 15, departure day, we went to the protestant church, which is very modern in their services. That was my first attendance of the service in my life, because I'm Muslim by religion, and it was very interesting. To understand everything, we were given the translation of the service. And even there we shared our concerns, and answered to the religion community's questions. Children in the church made for us special presents “golden fish”, which means to have food to live and continue our activities.
I would like to express my special thanks to the Foundation Prinsessendag, all those women in this institution, Thilla Franken, Ralph du Long, Mariette Verdaasdonk, and all people who were with us during the event. And thanks to the sponsors of the event, the biggest sponsor - Hotel of Assen, which hosted us during the conference. My special thanks to all our ladies. Thank you for your support and understanding, and the most important – for the inspiration.
All photographs provided by Johan N. Kuiper. Link: www.johanniels.com.
Nara Nariman
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