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EESTI ELU reedel, 20. märtsil 2020 — Friday, March 20, 2020
Nr. 11
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 IN OUR COMMUNITY March 18, 2020 English-language supplement to the Estonian weekly “EESTI ELU” Tartu College Publications Founding Chairman: Elmar Tampõld Editor: Laas Leivat 3 Madison Avenue, Toronto, ON M5R 2S2 T: 416-733-4550 • F: 416-733-0944 • E-mail: editor@eestielu.ca Digital: www.eestielu.ca
Russia’s new dual citizenship – a concern for the West? (II) Under international law, a state does have the right to protect its citizens abroad. But international practice puts definite limits on this practice. Granting citizenship en masse to citizens of another state without the latter’s consent certainly betrays the underlining motives of the state liberally handing out citizenship like Russia has and intends to again. Thus the conferring of citi zenship to residents of Georgia’s South Ossetia and Abkhazia was a blatant violation of normal neighbourly behaviour. Georgia did not agree to this issuing of citizenship and pro tested this activity numerous times. Taking action to protect its citizens in foreign lands is not an automatic right under inter national law, even though Russia itself has claimed to have this prerogative. It’s the wider community of states that under certain conditions has the right to exercise ‘humanitarian intervention’, known as R2P – international responsibility – the protection of human life and dignity. The subject state must be unable or unwilling to protect people on its territory from ac tivities such as ethnic cleaning or mass murder. With provable evidence of violations, the in tervention must be restricted to protecting human life and any use of force must stay within the means needed to gain these goals. Russia clearly abused the principle of humanitarian inter vention in attacking Georgia. Attacking its neighbouring state, Russia’s motivation was not what it had said to be its justification. It grossly abused the application of R2P. It was a punitive, not humanitarian, in tervention that has led to ethnic cleansing in the Russian-occu pied areas. One may legitimately ask whether Estonia has to consider the possibility of similar action by Russia against it for a con trived situation in Narva, for in stance? At least not for the time being. But vigilance would be appropriate. Take for instance the reaction of some of Europe after Russia
invaded Georgia in 2008. The European Union Presidency was suitably sympathetic and understanding of Russia’s asser tions of necessity and urgency at that time. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was absolutely silent at a joint press conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev when he claimed that Russia had intervened by adhering to the rules of interna tional law in defending its citi zens from serious harm and will do so again in the future. Medvedev made it clear that Russia was the guarantor of peace and stability in the region and that any “aggression against Russian people will be met with a crushing response”. Was that a signal to other neighbours of Russia’s neighbours? If not a message to the the Baltic states, then surely Ukraine? After invading and annexing Crimea, Russia accelerated all efforts in the distribution of passports to residents of Rus sian origin. With the new legis lation, ethnic Russians in East Ukraine are the intended reci pients. This incursion by Russia into Ukraine, ostensibly protecting the Russians of Crimea and East Ukraine, is Moscow’s time-worn deception tactic. What it didn’t reckon on was the re-invigoration and reengagement of the Ukrainian diaspora in the West. Many in the West, of the second and third generation diaspora, had become distant to their relatives in Ukraine. But Moscow was not mind ful of the unintended conse quences of their assault on the diaspora’s homeland that has been ‘reborn’ – putting their formidable global presence to stand up for their country of heritage. This is something that Estonians abroad could adopt if needed. Albeit expat Estonians would not represent the considerable political leverage that Ukrai nians in the West have at their disposal, but it would give the community a jolt of purpose and unity that we seem to be lacking as we grow more com fortable and complacent with Estonia’s enduring security, at least for the current period. LAAS LEIVAT
The Estonian Central Council in Canada, in partnership with The Estonian Foundation in Canada, St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Estonian Baptist Church of Toronto, the Hamilton Estonian Congregation, the Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver Estonian Societies is asking members of the Estonian Community in Canada to volunteer to help support our seniors or anyone else whose health may be compromised in this challenging time of self-isolation from the COVID-19 outbreak. Seniors with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to avoid public spaces including stores. As such, w e are looking for volunteers who can help pick-up and deliver basic living supplies, including prescriptions and other critical items, in communities across Canada. To add your name to the volunteer roster please email estoniancentralcouncil@gmail.com IF YOU ARE A SENIOR OR SOMEONE WHO REQUIRES HELP WITH ESSENTIAL GROCERIES OR PRESCRIPTIONS PLEASE CALL: Pastor Jüri Puusaag 647-822-4148 (Toronto) Pastor Mart Salumäe 647-273-5858 (Toronto / Hamilton) St. Peter’s Church Vancouver 604-263-1802 (Vancouver) Paul Läänemets, EKN 613-505-9777 (Ottawa) Estonian Foundation 416-465-5600 In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Canadian Health authorities at all three levels of government have advised Canadians to: • avoiding non-essential gatherings • avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes • avoiding crowded places such as concerts, arenas, conferences and festivals • limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health • keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available • when coughing or sneezing: • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands • clean the following high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water): toys; toilets; phones; electronics; door handles; bedside tables; television remotes
March 17, 2020
Statement from the Toronto Estonian House on COVID-19 To our tenants, community, and visitors, We share your concern about the COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) pan demic and have decided to temporarily close the Toronto Estonian House to public access in line with Ontario public health directives. The Northern Birch Credit Union and Heinsoo Insurance Brokers will remain in operation as they provide essential ser vices to the community. Please contact the Credit Union or Heinsoo Insurance directly for updates on their status. The businesses can be accessed from Broadview Avenue through the building’s north door lead ing to the elevator lobby. All events and programs have been postponed until at least April 11, 2020, after which the situation will be reas sessed. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will provide ongoing updates as
Tartu College statement Responses to COVID-19 are evolving rapidly. In light of both federal, provincial and local government initiatives and directives, Tartu College will also take measures to support social distancing and other measures to slow the progress of the virus. We believe that this is in the best interests of the health of our members, residents and the wider community. Effective tomorrow, March 14, 2020, all events and meet ings in the Ground Level Hall and Meeting Rooms are can celled until April 5, 2020. Depending on how public health circumstances develop, this status may be extended. Measures consistent with Toronto Public Health directives will be implemented in the building as a whole, and moni tored rigorously. This includes:
• keeping Tartu College Staff updated regarding COVID-19 and taking action as required. • keeping Tartu College resi dents informed and updated about the current public health situation via newsletter, posters in elevators, and banners on the Front Lobby TV screen. • basic steps for identifying symptoms, taking preventive hygiene actions such as hand washing, and instructions for what to do if symptoms are identified are posted on the bulletin boards in every suite and in all public areas at Tartu College. We will continue to update you over the coming days as circumstances require. Thank you for your co operation.
needed on our website at www. estohouse.com and on social media. The Toronto Estonian House is committed to creating a safe and inviting environment for
everyone. We thank you for your support. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sincerely,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and MANAGEMENT TEAM, Tartu College
THE TORONTO ESTONIAN HOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
