Dear members, partners, friends, and supporters of the ISHR,

With this newsletter you will again receive extensive updates from numerous countries, human rights contexts and areas of ISHR’s work. We are grateful for every single contributor from our global network. Whether Cameroon, Iraq or Belarus – the articles in this newsletter not only inform us, they open our eyes to a context. They allow us to feel our way in and (hopefully!) encourage us to act.

On February 24, 2024, we will commemorate a sad anniversary. It will be the completion of the second full year after the start of the war against Ukraine. In addition to the many terrible statistics that are being reported to us from all sides these days, I was particularly struck by one figure that describes the “silent catastrophe” alongside all the loud catastrophes: an estimated 1.5 million children in Ukraine are at risk of suffering from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. The effects of the war will therefore be felt for decades, even after the last shot has been fired. Our voice on February 24 should therefore be loud and clear: The war must end!

Furthermore, the latest ugly demonstration of the Russian state murder machinery leaves us stunned. Alexei Navalny’s death last Friday, February 16, was a murder in instalments. This shows, how ruthlessly Putin’s regime treats members of the opposition, journalists and dissidents. It also makes clear how dangerous today’s Russia is for its neighbors. This is clearly evident in statements by the Russian leadership, for example “Russia’s borders end nowhere”. The daily terror of Russian bombs and missiles mean suffering and death for millions of peaceful Ukrainians. Chechnya, Georgia and, since 2014, Ukraine are evidence of a fascist imperialism that threatens the whole of Europe.

After decades of dependence on Russia, Armenia’s very existence is now also under threat. Now that the Armenian leadership has turned its back on its historical “patron of peace” Russia, Christian Armenia is at risk of being crushed between Russia and the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance, warns the International Federation for Peace and Humanitarian Mission in Armenia.

I wish you an interesting read – let’s stay closely connected in these challenging times.

Matthias Boehning
ISHR Secretary General

Matthias Boehning
Secretary General, ISHR