People power shames governments into action
Thursday, 3 March 2022
Josie Pagani has worked in politics, aid and development.
OPINION: ‘’I need ammo. Not a ride.’’
President Volodymyr Zelensky's courageous refusal to evacuate, and his straightforward call for more help as Russian tanks rolled in, helped to mobilise the world. It’ll be one of the great quotes of the century.
Western governments didn't count on Ukrainians fighting bravely for their country, and capturing our hearts.
A week ago, most analysts told their governments that Ukraine would quickly capitulate. Then, after precisely-calibrated diplomatic tutting, the world would move on and forget.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially offered thoughts and prayers. Germany sent 5000 helmets (did it expect them to head-butt the Russians?) Global weather vane Justin Trudeau promised just enough to sound serious.
**READ MORE:
* 'The blatant act of a bully': Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta condemns Russia's invasion at UN
* Russia's invasion of Ukraine exposes limits of UN Charter
* Ukrainian citizens taking up arms to protect their families as Russia invades
**
Our own Government banned a small group of Russian officials from entering New Zealand, which put them into the same category as pregnant New Zealand citizens returning home.
But the world was watching as Ukraine fought back.
Footage went viral showing a farmer towing a tank away as its forlorn driver ran haplessly to catch up.
The radio operator on a tiny island of 13 defenders responded to an order to surrender with a timeless, 'Russian warship. Go f… yourself.' The slogan is now on Kyiv road signs.
Invading Russian columns were exposed by Google Maps alerting drivers to the traffic jams they caused. This is TikTok's first war.
Around the world, people took action. Tens of thousands turned out to demonstrate support. Even in Russia, knowing they would be arrested.
People-power shamed politicians into action.
Finely-tuned diplomatic gesturing was dropped. Europe made a joint military contribution. The UK sent weapons. Germany dropped its post-WW2 pacifism to double its military budget. Switzerland abandoned its neutrality for the first time in 200 years.
Last week, our Government opposed sanctions other than those approved by the United Nations. That allowed Russia a veto over whether or not we sanction Russia. It was an indefensible position and the Government has acted speedily to alter the law.
Please tell me they didn't run focus groups to see if we care.
We are witnessing a global demand for a more moral world. Rules and institutions will need to be updated, because the popular mood is right.
The UN was designed to manage the post-World War II period of decolonisation and balance between nuclear powers. The context has changed.
It's not credible for Russia to veto condemnation of Russia's invasion.
It wasn't credible for the murderous dictator Muammar Gaddafi to chair the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003. It's not credible for the Orwellian North Korea to chair the UN Disarmament Forum now.
It wasn't credible for the UN to walk away from genocide in Rwanda – a shame that New Zealand challenged at the Security Council. That episode helped create a doctrine of Responsibility to Protect in international law to prevent genocide. A more moral world order is possible.
If countries want to enjoy the benefits of global trade, sports and investment, then they should agree to a minimum standard of behaviour. Civilised countries should exclude human rights abusers and genocidal maniacs. We don't need to trade only with democracies, but excluding war criminals, expansionists and murderers is not setting the bar too high.
Corporates around the world are rightly being required to observe environmental, social and corporate responsibility standards. One of those standards should be a bar on commerce with outlaw countries. The punishment for dealing with Russia should be more severe than the punishment for a moronic tweet. Toughen up cancel culture.
If corporates can be held to responsible standards, so can governments and the individuals who run them.
Ukraine trades more with the EU than it does with Russia. China’s economy is more linked to Ukraine's than to Russia’s. Global trade matters. It's valuable. Access to it should be a privilege.
Announce a special quota of Ukrainian refugees. Our minister has said any Ukrainians will be added to the existing miserly quota, meaning they would take the place of Afghan refugees who are still waiting.
We can be kinder. We need to build housing and schools to accommodate people, so we should stagger arrival, perhaps several thousand a year for 5 or 10 years. Poland has infrastructure shortages too, but it is preparing to let in a million fleeing Ukrainians.
“We're already in WW111,” said US Russia expert Fiona Hill. It started when Putin invaded Crimea in 2014. We just didn't realise it. This war has been hiding in plain daylight.
Ukraine has become the frontline in a struggle over what the new world order will be – a moral one of tomorrow, or the paralysis of international institutions today and war-torn nationalism of the past?
What happens in Ukraine won't stay in Ukraine. This is our fight too.