The world is talking more and more about Mariupol, a city which has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience, as well as a source of pain for the entire civilised world.

This voice has now become even stronger: The Mariupol City Council and the city of Wrocław in Poland have signed the first Mariupol Declaration of Justice. This document recognises the deliberate destruction of Mariupol by the Russian army as a tragedy of global proportions.

The Association of Ukrainian Cities has reported that the document has become an important act of international solidarity. It will help to record Russia’s war crimes and bring those responsible to justice through international mechanisms.

The Declaration was signed by:

• Vadym Boichenko, Chair of the AUC Section for the Development of De-occupied and Temporarily Occupied Communities, Mayor of Mariupol;
• Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław;
• Myroslav Skirka, Head of the Association of Ukrainians in Poland;
• Marek Muter, First Deputy Director of the Ossoliński National Institute.

During the signing ceremony, Vadym Boichenko emphasised the importance of shared responsibility for restoring justice:

‘Poland’s experience of having already gone down this path is extremely important to us. That is why we are here and signing a declaration of solidarity. After all, restoring justice is not just Ukraine’s mission. I am convinced that it is the shared responsibility of European society. When we talk about justice, we are talking about more than just money. It is also about historical justice, and about preserving our identity and memory. We are seeking support from European society on this path. International recognition of the tragedy in Mariupol and other affected Ukrainian cities is therefore not a privilege, but a necessary foundation for stability on the European continent.’

Jakub Mazur, Vice-President of Wrocław, echoed his words, emphasising the solidarity of the Polish people:

‘On behalf of the Mayor of Wrocław and the City Council, we have made it clear from the outset of the war that we will not accept this injustice. We support the punishment of those responsible with all our hearts and all our strength. This applies especially to those who tortured the people of Mariupol in such a shameful way and used force to destroy a city so close to and similar to Wrocław.’

And Marek Muter, First Deputy Director of the Ossoliński National Institute, recalled the words of the Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, which today resonate particularly strongly in the hearts of all Ukrainians:

‘If the city falls, but at least one of its inhabitants survives, they will carry that city with them on their journey into exile. And they will be the city.’

This declaration is a moral manifesto of solidarity and proof that Mariupol is not forgotten and that justice can still be achieved.

Mariupol continues to live on in the hearts of its people, in their struggle and in the international support they receive. And now, it lives on in the Declaration of Justice, which will become part of the history of our future victory.