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EESTI ELU reedel, 23. septembril 2022 — Friday, September 23, 2022
Nr. 38
Commemorate, declutter, donate, sell! Updates regarding Toronto Estonian House, on Broadview Ave Updates on wrapping up and moving out from Toronto Estonian House on Broadview
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
Putin must be held accountable for war crimes. Special tribunal will do the job By July, Ukrainian authorities stated that it had identified more that 21,000 war crimes. They had identified some 600 suspects and initiated app roximately 80 prosecutions for offences including killing civilians, destroying civilian targets, looting, rape, torture and other brutalities. The prosecutors were receiving between 200 to 300 reports daily. Most recently, a mass grave for some 440 victims was un covered in Izjumi. An example of atrocities committed by Russian troops is the devastating evidence uncovered in July at a former summer camp in Bucha. Corpses of men dressed in civilian clothes revealing burns, bruises and other lacerations alongside equipment for water boarding was found. A report described how Russian soldiers had kept 25 girls aged 14–24 in a basement where they were gang-raped. An OSCE investigation also details the forcible relocation of Ukrainian civilians elsewhere in Ukraine or into Russia – actions that Violate the Geneva Con ventions. This clearly shows Russia’s intention to replace antagonistic populations with those loyal to Moscow and to avoid local resistance attempts. British intelligence assessed in July that more than 2.5 million Ukrainians had been “eva cuated” from Russian-occupied areas. We ask whether the Russian military chain of command, from Putin down, had been in volved in the wide-scale occur rences of war crimes, which, according to legal specialists must be proved, for any suc cessful conviction of the su preme leader. The prosecution must demonstrate that the violations were not just a lack of military oversight or isolated incidents. It isn’t difficult to pin a war crime on a soldier who commits it, as has now been done in Ukraine. But establishing a chain of command for any future trials of the decision-makers, proving that the leadership actually authorized atrocities is more complicated. But observers insist that Putin was, without question, personally aware of the war
As 2022/23 activities start up, those in Toronto’s Estonian House (“EH”) are ending very soon. As such a few updates are in order: Final celebration and commemoration The final event for Estonian House is slated for October 1, 2022. Billed as the “Lääst Blääst”, it will bring together young and old, from near and afar, to celebrate all that the community created at this address, and all the Estonian House gave back to the commu nity. Come record your memo ries of Estonian House, and celebrate with friends and some great music. Over 650 tickets have been sold and nearing capacity – at time of writing, the few remaining tickets can be purchased via the KESKUS website and an increase to capacity is being explored so that all who wish to attend, can. Please follow KESKUS on social (handles below) for up dates on more tickets, should they be sold out.
crimes against civilians in Ukraine. Units that were in volved in atrocities in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol and elsewhere were recognized for frontline heroism. They were awarded with the prestigious title of “guards” for distinction in battle. Under the Geneva Con ventions rules of war do exist. The findings of both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are rele vant here. The ICJ rules on disputes between states and doesn’t prosecute individuals. Ukraine has launched one against Russia. If the ICJ rules Want to buy some ... stuff? against Russia, the UN’s Security Council has the re Have you had your eye on sponsibility to enforce it. But something in EH? Items in Russia would veto the proposal, Estonian House that do not being one of five permanent have community or cultural members. attachment will be sold on the The ICI, the permanent suc online auction site www.max cessor to the Nuremberg trials, sold.com, in two separate is not recognized by Russia. auctions being scheduled to end But the Nuremberg process October 6 and October 13, 2022 established the principle that – checking back on that site for states could set up special the sale, items will be available courts to uphold international for bidding for approx. 7 days law. The ICC’s chief prosecutor, before closing, with pickup Karim Kahn, has indicated that dates shortly thereafter. reasonable evidence exists that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. Thus, the prosecutor will ask ICC judges to issue tinue a clearly illegal conflict. arrest warrants to bring the While it might be difficult to suspects to The Hague. But un link Putin and the Kremlin der the current circumstances, decision-makers to war crimes, enforcing this against Putin and it can be absolutely established his team would be practically that they are guilty of planning impossible. Russia is not a an aggression against a sover member of the ICI and would eign state. not extradite any suspects. Prosecuting Russia for the However, the International crime of aggression is a daunt Criminal Court can prosecute ing task under the existing the offense of “waging aggres international justice system. As sive war”. This is the crime of mentioned before, a referral an unjustified invasion or con from the UN Security Council flict, beyond a military action is unlikely, given that Russia that is warranted as self- has veto power. The crime defence. exists under international law It’s ironic that it was a but ICI does not have juris Russian judge at the Nuremberg diction over aggression. trials who convinced the Allies It’s crucial that Putin doesn’t that the Nazi leadership should escape with impunity from be held accountable for “crimes crimes for which he is account against peace”. able. The establishment of a Many legal experts state that special tribunal for Ukraine is a one-off tribunal could be vitally necessary. Estonians formed to prosecute the crime worldwide can lobby their of aggression against Ukraine. respective governments for its Aggression is a “leadership urgent formation. We responded crime”, committed by those together when Putin invaded. who have the power and capa We can match that unified bility to initiate war and to con effort now. LAAS LEIVAT
Want to buy items with community or cultural attachment? Estonian House will be of fering community and culturally related items that are not of archival value but are neverthe less of sentimental and practical value to community members (think Eesti Kooli toolid!). This will take place on the evening of October 11 (1700-2000h) and late morning/midday on October 12 (1030-1330h). If your organization has stock, inventory, items that you’d like to offer to the community either for sale or giveaway (and that your organization will attend to set up, sell and dispose of unsold items after the sale), please advise Ingrid Laar, General Manager via info@ estohouse.com or 416.461.7963. Your items in EH Organizations (or indivi duals) who have items in EH must schedule their access to EH with Ingrid Laar. Given the numerous workstreams currently underway, it is much appreciated that other than as prior agreed with Ingrid, all items being stored at Estonian House will remain where they are until after the October 1 event. After October 1, 2022, the work to empty the house after 62 years will be continued, with scheduling via Ingrid at all times. Security is increased and camera footage monitored to ensure an orderly and smooth completion of this workstream.
nizations should write to uuskodu@estoniancentre.ca with any questions regarding storage and other transition questions regarding KESKUS and check their spam filters to be sure that emails are coming through. KESKUS valued donors make a critical difference Please join our growing list of capital campaign donors to take KESKUS construction through to opening! The KESKUS International Estonian Centre’s donor categories are Kalevipoja laud for gifts over $100,000 (including naming rights for specific areas), Koidula gild, which is from $50,000-99,999, Viru vanemad for gifts of $10,000-$49,999, and Kungla rahvas for gifts up to $10,000. To make a donation, please call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All Canadian, Estonian and U.S. donations will be issued a tax receipt.KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here: www.estoniancentre.ca/capi tal-campaign To follow the construction journey and for KESKUS updates: • Visit the KESKUS website and subscribe to the monthly newsletter: • Facebook @EestiKeskus, Twitter @keskus, Instagram @ keskus.iec
Donations made As part of the clear-out, Estonian House in Toronto is donating certain useful and significant items to Seedrioru, Jõekääru and Kotkajärve, which are camp properties outside of Toronto. For example, the wood chandelier in the south foyer of EH between the Grand Hall and Crystal Hall will find a new home in the centre of the main hall of Seedrioru. Each of Jõekääru, Kotkajärve and Seed rioru have selected kitchen equipment to help kit out their facilities. In this stage of our commu nity’s transition to KESKUS International Estonian Centre, now under construction, this is an opportunity to look at physi cal possessions, declutter, and move forward with what is needed. It is a tall order to be sure, but together we’ll get through this phase. Orga
Erika Salumäe, twice Olympic bicycling champion, will be honoured by two films next year, a documentary and a feature. Forty years ago she also competed in Edmonton. The Filmivabrik studio is looking for any photos taken of her at that event. Contact Marju Lepp at filmivabrik@ filmivabrik.ee
