WCPP in solidarity with Ukraine for peace, justice and democracy

The recent invasion and aggression by Russia in Ukraine is a crime against humanity. The invasion by Russia has led to massive human rights violations and the contravention of international treaties and protocols affecting the sovereignty of Ukraine and its people. The Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) joins the global condemnation of Russia's attack on Ukranian civilians, mostly women and children. South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Charter on Human Rights and has a moral obligation to defend the sovereignty and peace of all member states, including Ukraine.

The WCPP is committed to the values of peaceful co-existence, human rights, freedom, and democracy. We are reminded of this by the advice of our global icon, the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who said; "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor".

The WCPP will, as in the past, not remain silent on any human rights abuses. I have, therefore, decided to illuminate the WCPP building in 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, in blue and yellow in solidarity with the people of Ukraine on Monday evening, 28 February 2022, at 19:30.

This is a peaceful act of solidarity with this member state of the United Nations, and we call on all to work towards a peaceful solution to the crisis and avoid the loss of any more innocent lives in Ukraine. The WCPP views the situation in Ukraine as very serious and calls on all peace-loving people in the Western Cape to join our call for prayer for a peaceful solution in Ukraine.

We have a moral duty to leave behind a world much better than the one we found. Peace, and not war, is the only solution right now in the world.