Ukraine world leader in Russia decolonization - expert

This was stated by the member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (2014-2016), head of the Uralik nonprofit Oliver Loode, who spoke via videoconference at the Third International Forum of the Crimea Platform Expert Network on Monday, reports an Ukrinform correspondent.

Loode noted that at the level of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine has realized the strategic importance of what is happening in Russia in the context of self-awareness of the enslaved peoples, and what this means for Ukraine's national security. In particular, the Ukrainian parliament set up an Ad Hoc Special Commission to work with enslaved peoples of Russia. According to the expert, the special commission recently agreed with representatives of the League of Free Nations to hold a conference on Russia decolonization. In addition, members of the commission provided political support to the League of Free Nations and Forum of Free Peoples of post-Russia.

"These are serious contacts, and the national movements of the indigenous peoples of Russia highly appreciate that. Today, Ukraine is a world leader in decolonizing Russia while other countries are far behind in this regard. And I hope that they will finally start catching up," said the head of the Uralik NGO.

As reported earlier, the Third International Forum of the Crimea Platform Expert Network is being held in the format of a two-day expert event. Day 1 sees panels dedicated to the challenges at the national level and the issues of protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, while Day 2 panels are devoted to the challenges arising at the international level.