erosion of human rights in Ukraine

[Gotno Gizmo]

When it comes to recognizing a lack of human rights amongst Russians or many other citizens of former Soviet states, the issue is a difficult one. On this site I have cited the lack of human rights in Kazakhstan, particularly the lack of free media and of the inability to create an opposition party against the government. I based my comments upon personal observations in that country, supporting them with reports from reputable websites. Despite this, I was countered by opposing posts saying things like my mother-in-law cannot see anything wrong with the country or the president.
I guess if you were born and raised in a tightly controlled political environment, you have no comparison or experience of alternatives. Subsequently such people are not aware of any impingement of their rights, when to others raised in a freer and more democratic environment it is quite obvious.

[Hannia]

Nick,

I am merely stating fact. I have been at this site a long time and I know you are British and your wife is a native Russian speaker, who resided in Eastern Ukraine until you married her. Your wife's family are indeed Russian speaking residents, who still reside in Mariupol > Donetsk region , are pro Yanukovych and don't want to learn to speak Ukrainian, which up until Yanukovych was the official language of the land.

If one runs a search for Mariupol, one finds mostly mail order bride sites and very little of anything else.

Now what part of the above is not true?

My comment, describing your wife's family, succinctly explains your position to Irene, who asks why you would not have heard anything from your wife's family about human rights violations in Ukraine.

[nickcsadler]

Hannia... you are broadly speaking correct in what you say, however there are some incorrect assumptions made....you say "mail order" as if it is something offensive or dodgy, whilst my wife and I first "met" on the internet it was not via a site available via a Mariupol search, also you state my in laws don`t want to learn Ukrainian.. how do you know this?? it is not something I have discussed on this forum, you call them "native Russian speakers", surely there is a clue in your statement?? indeed there are many native Russian speakers in Ukraine and if you are suggesting that it would be right to insist they all must speak only Ukrainian is that in itself not an erosion of there human rights???. Would not my earlier suggestion of a dual language system be far more civilised?? or are you too nationalistic to accept this compromise??.

[Hannia]

or are you too nationalistic to accept this compromise??.

Nick,

Yes, I love Ukraine, its people and their language. Unlike you, most participants here do. Without our pro-Ukrainian leanings, you would have no forum here and no title.
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AND you are absolutely correct, you do rub me the wrong way. Most pro-Stalinists and religious terrorists do.

[g bilous]

Well put Hannia

Nick you are either in cloud cuckoo land or walking round with blinkers on.

From what I read it does not look too good for Ukraine.

[nickcsadler]

Hannia.. where do I say I am pro Stalin???? I am certainly not and have no idea how you reached that conclusion... and where have I said I don`t love Ukraine??? again an assumption based on your bias.. I do love Ukraine and ALL its` people WHATEVER language they may speak... can you honestly say the same?? also you have failed to answer me regarding the compromise I suggested regarding dual languages??? and finally pray tell me how you have decided I am a religious terrorist.. and please define what a religious terrorist is????....

[Hannia]

or are you too nationalistic to accept this compromise??.

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Nick,

Since the 1930's Nationalism is most commonly associated with Nazism and fascism.

You have already called me a non-Christian and now you are calling me a Nazi. It is your posture that is defensive and xenophobic here, not mine.

As a Moderator you are walking a very thin line.
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Yanukovich is a pro-Stalinist. You are a pro-Yanukovich. You are unequivocally pro-Stalinist, no and's, if's or but's.

Qualifying what religion is superior over another, and damning anyone who doesn't believe what you believe in to hell, makes you a religious terrorist.
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I reiterate that Ukraine is a multi-ethnic country, where everyone can speak whatever language they like, but the official language of the land should be Ukrainian, the language of the majority.
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