Humanitarian Aid Should be Above Politics

France has begun the trial of Anna Novikova, the founder of the humanitarian aid group SOS Donbass, on charges of 'espionage'. Evaluating this process, Academician Tuba Çebi emphasized that humanitarian aid is a matter above geography and politics.Çebi stated that the role of diasporic civil society organizations, such as the France Ukrainians Union, should be carefully examined. The primary mission of civil society organizations is to serve as a bridge in humanitarian crisis areas where state mechanisms cannot reach or are insufficient, reduce polarization, and build channels for peaceful dialogue.

From a bilateral and peaceful perspective, two facts must be accepted at the same time: Firstly, security concerns are legitimate, but the law should not be politicized.

Pointing out that the law has been politicized in France, Çebi continued her words as follows: Humanitarian aid activities should be considered a matter above geography and politics. The security concerns of the parties involved in the war may be legitimate, but the law should not be politicized, and humanitarian aid activities should not be used for political purposes. Dividing the work of humanitarian aid groups into 'our civilians' and 'their civilians' is contrary to the fundamental principles of humanitarian law. The case of Anna Novikova demonstrates how the geopolitical fault lines between the West and Russia clash through a civilian woman and a humanitarian organization.