Controversial Symbols
May 9, Commemoration of the Fallen
Incitement to hatred and war propaganda
The meaning of the Ribbon of Saint George and the Z-symbol have been hijacked and used by the Kremlin regime in the war against Ukraine. For this reason they have become symbols justifying crimes against peace and humanity which are irrelevant in the Estonian public space. In order not to become warmongers, the utilization of these symbols must stop.
May 9th has been celebrated primarily by Russian speakers as Victory Day, when in World War II victory was accomplished over fascist Germany which had committed crimes against humanity. However, the majority of Estonians and lots of other peoples of Estonia find losses and violent repressions against Estonians, the country and the population of Estonia in World War II and during the following Soviet occupation committed by Russian troops and the regime as deeply disturbing and painful memories.
So far, the Republic of Estonia has practised a tolerant approach to the celebration of May 9th as Victory Day but the present participation of the soldiers of Russia in crimes against humanity in Ukraine rules out the celebration of May 9th in Estonia as a day of Russian military victory.
The commemoration of all victims of war is permitted in all respects in Estonia and it will not be prohibited in the future. We will remember and commemorate the victims of World War II at the cemetery with flowers and candles, not with flags and ribbons. The latter are used by the Kremlin to glorify the war and justify the killing of innocent people.
The UN has declared May 8th and May 9th as days of remembrance and reconciliation. Let us commemorate the victims of all wars quietly, peacefully and in a balanced way, avoiding rallies. These days Estonia will lower its head thinking about the victims of war in Ukraine as well.
Commemorating the fallen cannot be used for the justification or incitement to hatred and violence against other nations or people. The exposition of support for the aggression of the Russian Federation on the streets of Estonia is not acceptable.
A strong and cohesive society
It is understandable that the current security situation and the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine causes anxiety and concern. It is important for all Estonia’s residents, regardless of their nationality or the first language, to keep calm and stay together. Let us stick together – as a society, as a nation. Let us not allow the Kremlin war propaganda or provocateurs divide us, let us keep our minds balanced. It is everyone's responsibility.
We share a common future. Despite different pasts, all residents of Estonia share a common future. The Kremlin wages an open propaganda war against all Estonia’s residents, trying to make us quarrel in our home, to create confrontation and thus divide society. The strengths of the Estonian society are the respect and self-belief of its people. Sharing common values, avoiding disagreements, talking to each other, and staying together will make us strong.
How to react?
Public space
If you notice the use of controversial Kremlin propaganda symbols, incitement to hatred or violence, notify the police by calling the emergency number 112. Do not attempt to impose discipline or get involved in confrontations yourself.
CALL THE EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
Internet
If you notice the use of controversial Kremlin propaganda symbols, incitement to hatred or violence on Internet, notify web constables. With severe and time-critical cases call the emergency number 112.
contacts for web constables
-
Z-symbol and the Ribbon of Saint George are not neutral symbols
They have become symbols of war propaganda which justify the Russian Federation-initiated war in Ukraine. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, this war in Ukraine, as of April 17, has killed 2072 civilians, including 169 children and injured 2818. (https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/04/ukraine-civilian-casualty-update-18-april-2022). Do not support the war in Ukraine by using the controversial symbols. -
The Kremlin has subjugated the Ribbon of Saint George as a symbol of war propaganda
The Ribbon of Saint George has had a variety of meanings throughout history. Unfortunately, the Kremlin regime has demeaned and distorted the meaning of this symbol by its activities, just as the Nazi regime did to swastika (a symbol of abundance and happiness in Hinduism). Putin has become a fascist attacking Ukraine for Nazi-like aims. -
The use of symbols expresses attitudes
The use of the Kremlin regime war propaganda symbols (e.g. the Z-symbol, the Ribbon of Saint George) expresses support for the activities of this regime – attacking sovereignty of independent countries, military action, bombarding civilian populations and civilian infrastructure and the Kremlin regime-initiated violence in Ukraine – raping, killing innocent people, looting and stealing. -
Do not support the war in Ukraine by using the Ribbon of Saint George and the Z-symbol
The Ribbon of Saint George and the Z-symbol have become the symbols of Kremlin war propaganda. In the current situation it is impossible to make the distinction whether the ribbon bearers would like to pay their respects to their fathers and grandfathers who took part in the war or to support the Kremlin-initiated war which according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as of 17 April, has killed 2072 civilians, including 169 children and injured 2818 (https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/04/ukraine-civilian-casualty-update-18-april-2022). -
The symbols of the Kremlin war propaganda are not acceptable in Estonia
There is no place in Estonia for using controversial symbols which can express support for war. When leaving home on May 9th, do not wear a USSR military uniform, a red ribbon on your sleeve or any other clothes with World War II victory symbols, because using symbols of propaganda or symbols of the regimes that have occupied Estonia, are inappropriate for remembrance.
-
Estonia remembers and commemorates the victims of World War II and of all the other wars
We understand that on May 9th some of our fellow-countrymen want to mourn and commemorate their loved ones who were killed in World War II. It is acceptable in Estonia to commemorate in all respects all the victims of World War II and all other wars.’ -
The remembrance of the victims of war is not prohibited and never will be in
The remembrance of the victims of war is not prohibited and never will be in Estonia. We commemorate the victims of World War II at the cemetery with flowers and candles, not with ribbons and flags. The latter are used by the Kremlin for glorifying the war and justifying the killing of innocent people in Ukraine. -
Restrictions on public meetings
Police decided to ban public meetings between April 26 and May 10 that could incite hatred and where symbols of aggression could be displayed. The commemoration of all victims of war is permitted in all respects in Estonia and it will not be prohibited in the future. Commemorating the fallen cannot be used for the justification or incitement to hatred and violence against other nations or people. For example, the flags of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, Georgian ribbons and USSR uniforms are banned. -
Remembrance must be rendered in a dignified manner
It cannot be used for the justification or incitement to hatred or violence toward other nations and people. For remembrance it is inappropriate to use symbols of war propaganda or symbols of the countries that have occupied Estonia. Take flowers to the cemetery and do not wear provocative symbols. -
Despite different pasts, all residents of Estonia share a common future
The Kremlin wages an open propaganda war against all Estonia’s residents, trying to make us quarrel in our home, to create confrontation and thus divide the society. The strengths of the Estonian society are the mutual respect and self-belief of its people. Sharing common values, avoiding disagreements, talking to each other, and staying together will make us strong.
-
Incitement to hatred is not permitted in Estonia
The use of symbols in the service of war propaganda is an incitement to hatred and a justification for the war in Ukraine with thousands of victims. Section 92 of the Penal Code prohibits war propaganda, section 151 prohibits incitement to hatred and section 262 the violation of public order. Law enforcement agencies are ready to deal with offenders. -
Violent incitements, threats and the symbols of war propaganda
The people who make violent incitements, threats, or wear symbols of war propaganda, must understand that these activities may have a provocative impact and be dangerous to public order. The police continue to pay close attention to incitement to hatred and the use of the symbols of war propaganda. For example, the police were notified of a resident of Narva inciting hatred and violence to the citizens of Ukraine in Estonia in the social media network TikTok. Police officers got in touch with the man, examined his motives and pointed out associated risks. Misdemeanour proceedings were instituted against the man under the section of incitement to hatred and he was fined 500 euros. -
Disturbing use of symbols is unambiguously punishable
On Parliament approved changes to Penal Code, making the disturbing use of hostile symbols punishable as a misdemeanour. -
Joining foreign aggression is punishable
According to the government bill, joining foreign aggression, participating in it or supporting it, i.e. helping Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine, is punishable under criminal law. -
A small part of the Estonian population is under the Kremlin influence
They may demonstrate provocative behaviour toward refugees. Please, keep calm, if possible, do not react and notify the police of provocations or attacks. If there are disturbing content in social media, report it. -
Despite different pasts, all residents of Estonia share a common future
The Kremlin wages an open propaganda war against all Estonia’s residents, trying to make us quarrel in our home, to create confrontation and thus divide society. The strengths of the Estonian society are the mutual respect and self-belief of its people. Sharing common values, avoiding disagreements, talking to each other, and staying together will make us strong.
How to react?
If you notice the use of controversial Kremlin propaganda symbols, incitement to hatred or violence, notify the police by calling the emergency number 112. Do not attempt to impose discipline or get involved in confrontations yourself.
Last updated: 29.04.2022
