In times like this, when we are so far away, it can feel hard to see how your one action can help. However we have seen time and again the power millions of people taking action together can have. Globally, Amnesty International is exerting pressure to ensure governments uphold the rule of law and work to protect people’s lives. But this is a complex situation with a small window of opportunity – so every bit of action we take now to add to this pressure is critical. 

In Russia, brave people are taking to the streets to call on their leaders to halt the aggression in Ukraine. International pressure direct to Russian decision-makers is urgently needed, so they can see the scale of opposition to their actions and to add to the condemnation they’re already hearing. That’s why we’re asking you to take action now and send a message to the Russian Minister of Defence, along with the Russian Ambassador in New Zealand, to respect international law, protect civilians, and stop the aggression in Ukraine. 

Amnesty International staff have verified reports and video footage of indiscriminate attacks on civilians across the country. We have documented strikes on hospitals and schools, the use of indiscriminate weapons such as ballistic missiles and the use of banned weapons like cluster bombs. Civilians are dying, and potential war crimes are being committed by Russian troops.  

We have power in numbers to call for this to stop.   

Strikes on protected objects such as hospitals and schools, the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, such as ballistic missiles and artillery in civilian areas, and the use of banned indiscriminate weapons such as cluster bombs, may constitute war crimes. All perpetrators must be held to account.  

You can send an email directly to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Russian Ambassador in New Zealand, demanding that Russia ends the aggression immediately, protects civilians and respects international law.  
Yes, I’ll take action now
The Russian Federation is acting in clear breach of its obligations under international law. Its actions are blatantly against the rules and principles on which the UN was founded. And it is abusing its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to shield itself from accountability.