No matter how daft, or disgusting an idea may seem censoring speech is never the right avenue of fighting that idea. Cutting out a man’s tongue proves only that you might be afraid of what he has to say. This is a lesson Ukraine’s political leadership has not yet learned.
The Ukrainian government has moved to suspend political parties that have affiliation with Russia. Though war is being waged in Ukraine from their neighbors in Russia, the members of these political parties are nonviolent politicians. The best way to deal with bad-minded politicians is not to cut their tongues out, but rather to expose their foolish ideas with better ideas and speech.
Censoring these politicians only gives the Russian affiliates more leverage. They can now play the victim.
“The activities of those politicians aimed at division or collusion will not succeed but will receive a harsh response,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Even more divisive, is shutting down political speech of any kind through authority.
This is the very tactic so many hate Russia for. The termination of political opposition is their very suppression that creates separatist groups in the first place.
“Therefore, the national security and defense council decided, given the full-scale war unleashed by Russia and the political ties that a number of political structures have with this state, to suspend any activity of a number of political parties for the period of martial law,” he stated.
The position is tough. On one hand, the Russian government slaughters the Ukrainian people, this has to be carefully balanced with the rights of political activists and politicians. Suppression may cause more harm than a lack of suppression would.
“The most democratic president of modern Ukraine has taken another step towards the western ideals of democracy. By decision of the Council for National Defence and Security, he completely banned any activity of opposition parties in Ukraine. They are not needed! Well done! Keep it up,” wrote former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
In reality, this move is not a step closer to “western democracy” but rather the opposite. A step towards Russian fascism.