How do we defend people's freedom and dignity against authoritarianism, when the "law of war" doesn't seem to apply anymore? In the face of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, human rights lawyer and Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk considers this question every day. Exposing the failures of the international system of peace and security, she highlights the capabilities of ordinary people during extraordinary times — and urges us all to take an active position in the struggle for freedom. (This talk contains graphic imagery.)


Oleksandra Matviichuk: The ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Ukraine

The ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Ukraine

In a world where law seems powerless, the answer to protecting human dignity lies not just in legal mechanisms, but in arming Ukraine.

The battle between authoritarianism and democracy is waged not just by states, but by ordinary people performing extraordinary acts.

The push for a special tribunal to hold war criminals accountable underscores a pivotal shift towards justice, beyond war's end.