Breach of Sanctions: Future Russia – Switzerland Leads Push for Accountability After Russian Officials' Geneva Visit

The reception of war criminals in Geneva is a disgrace and a failure for Switzerland.

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Geneva recently became the host city for a Russian delegation, led by sanctioned individuals and war criminals Valentina Matvienko, Pyotr Tolstoy, and Leonid Slutsky, who participated in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly. This visit occurred despite the ongoing missile strikes on Ukrainian cities by Russian forces, resulting in civilian casualties, including children and women.

The three Russian delegates are not merely officials but are considered key figures of the Putin regime, directly responsible for initiating the aggressive war against Ukraine, dismantling democratic institutions, and conducting large-scale repressions within Russia. All three individuals are under personal sanctions from both the European Union and Switzerland. Valentina Matvienko, as Chairperson of the Federation Council, authorized Putin's use of armed forces abroad, which formally permitted the war with Ukraine on February 22, 2022, making her an accomplice in aggression. Pyotr Tolstoy and Leonid Slutsky are known for their aggressive statements, calls for stricter measures against Ukraine, support for Crimea's annexation, and incitement to violence.

Their presence in Geneva was facilitated by a decision by Switzerland to allow sanctioned individuals into its territory, providing them with protection and legitimacy without detention or restriction of their participation. This situation has raised questions about the connection between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Swiss and Genevan authorities who invited them.

In response to this visit, Future Russia – Switzerland organized a protest and published an open letter titled "Protest against Matvienko's participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly", to which we drew attention in our direct communication with Swiss politicians and government officials. The open letter quickly garnered significant support, with over 200 signatures from individuals and organizations within a single day, including prominent Russian opposition leaders and various international organizations. We have also contacted the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and their team to offer our assistance and seek clarifications on what enabled this breach of the SECO sanctions regime.

Our open letter explicitly outlines several key demands:

*   A public explanation regarding the basis on which sanctioned individuals were allowed into Swiss and European territory.

*   An investigation into which country issued the transit permit and whether this constituted a violation of the sanctions regime.

*   The implementation of measures to exclude representatives of sanctioned regimes from future Inter-Parliamentary Union events.

*   The adoption of clear ethical criteria that prohibit dictators and their emissaries from participating under the guise of "inter-parliamentary dialogue".

*   An investigation into the violation of the Swiss Criminal Code, particularly Articles 261bis and 180, which prohibit public incitement to violence or hatred and discrimination.

*   An investigation into the connections of members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Swiss Government and Parliament, and the Government and Parliament of the Canton of Geneva with Matvienko, Tolstoy, Slutsky, and the Kremlin.

We firmly believe that neutrality does not justify allowing international platforms to become forums for those who destroy cities, kill civilians and journalists, imprison opposition members, and poison political opponents.

Stand with us, sign the open letter and reach out to your political representative to demand answers and action!