Fighter for human rights: Kara-Mursa receives price in Vienna!

Fighter for human rights: Kara-Mursa receives price in Vienna!

In a significant ceremony in Vienna, the Russian Kreml opponent Vladimir Kara-Mursa and his wife Jewgenija were honored with the Human Rights Prize of the Bruno Kreisky Foundation. This award is not only a symbol for her unshakable use against oppression in Russia, but also a call for the urgent support of other dissidents who still braise in Russian prisons. Vladimir Kara-Mursa, himself a victim of political persecution, was released in August after he was faced with a serious punishment of 25 years behind bars in a prisoner exchange.

his struggle is much more than just a personal matter. He and his wife applaud the efforts for the release of other unfortunate detainees such as the Moscow district councilor Alexej Gorinow and journalist Marija Ponomarenko, both of whom have received long prison terms for their critical statements about the Russian attack war against Ukraine. The Kara-Mursas emphasize that for many of these detainees every minute counts and freedom is often a question of life and death.

an appeal to the western world

Jewgenija Kara-Mursa vigorously demanded that politicians in the western world should rethink their attitude. "When a real struggle runs between good and evil, dictators unite and endanger the survival of democracy all over the world, you cannot be neutral," she warned. These words illustrate the urgency with which she and her husband address the international community.

Wladimir Kara-Mursa, an experienced politician and young father, reflected on the history of dissidents in Russia during the ceremony. He recalled the experiences of the famous dissident Vladimir Bukowski, who was also freed from a prisoner exchange in 1976. Kara-Mursa quoted Bukowski's memoirs in which he referred to Western politicians with a critical look at Western politicians: "For many, the opportunity to grill the breakfast bacon on Soviet gas is more important than human rights."

This historical connection makes it clear that the struggle for human rights is not only in Russia, but also in the perception of Western governments. The Kara-Mursas symbolically stand for the many voices, which despite all the setbacks and threats must not be silenced. The renewed award of the two in Vienna should therefore serve as a wake -up call to the international actors, to position themselves more clearly and to increase the pressure on authoritarian regime.

The Bruno Kreisky Foundation's prize that the Kara-Mursas received is an important step to point out the need for changes and to put the situation of dissidents in Russia in the light. While they themselves are recognized as survivors of political persecution, their commitment for others remains a central force in the hope of freedom and democracy in Russia.

More details on these developments can be found in a report by www.radiohochstift.de .