[Qgis-user] Help Ukraine, Boycott Russia

Fri Feb 25 02:48:28 PST 2022

Hi all,

May I suggest that we stop this thread here - and try to fight the Russian
aggression in different ways / different channels? This is not the right
channel to make a meaningful difference in this horrible war.

As an example, we can try to influence / put some pressure on our local
governments. Both the German and the Swiss governments are blocking more
effective sanctions on Russia. By not buying Russian energy and raw
materials and by freezing bank accounts of Russian oligarchs who support
this war - this is where we can make a difference. So the pressure needs to
be put on our European governments - and not in the QGIS user community.

As an example: in Berne / Switzerland there will be a demonstration
tomorrow at noon to put pressure on our Swiss government to freeze Russian
bank accounts and to prohibit raw material trading (a lot of Russian raw
materials are traded in Switzerland). I believe this is where we can make a
difference.

Wish you all the best,
Andreas

On Fri, 25 Feb 2022 at 10:50, landconsult at freenet.de <landconsult at freenet.de>
wrote:

> Dear Andreas, dear list,
>
> Andreas, you wrote "*If we start excluding countries and organizations on
> such assumptions*" I wished you could understand that Putin´s aggression
> is not stopping in Ukraina (starting in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia,
> Syria, Ukraina, ...whats next). The only non-atomic power that can stop
> this is the Russian people.
>
> And yes, I know, Russia is not a democracy, and maybe some Russians are
> "suffering from Putin´s politics" (if it were the "majority" like you say,
> I had no need to write this letter and Putin never dared to invade the
> Ukraine).
>
> I can also imagine, that many of the Russian QGIS users really appreciate
> the freedom they feel when they co-operate with the QGIS community. But I
> am sure the invasion of their army into Ukraine is not a reason for them to
> start thinking about the legality to kill civilians in independant
> neighbouring countries.
>
> It´s not a reason unless we (the free, democratic and peaceful QGIS
> community) give them such a reason, which is the boycott of Russian members
> as long as their troops are in the Ukraine.
>
> And, Andreas, when you are asking where to draw a "*red line*", you are
> not seriously comparing the bombing of Kiev with the "oil exploration" ????
> This is cynical.
>
> We must not be passive and hoping "*that this situation can soon be
> deescalated*" is not enough. The time is now to make it absolutely clear
> that military force against democratic countries will have consequences for
> the agressors.
>
> And finally to all Russian QGIS users: I like your country and your
> culture and really appreciate all Russian colleagues I met in the scope of
> my professional work, this includes all the great QGIS Plugins and Tools
> that came from you.
> Please help us to stop this war and make your contribution to secure
> freedom and peace in Europe and wordlwide!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Markus
>
> Am 24.02.2022 um 13:29 schrieb Andreas Neumann:
>
> Dear Markus,
>
> This is a really difficult topic that you raise here. While I agree that
> the aggression from the Putin regime should be condemned, I am against
> excluding Russian QGIS contributors and sustaining members. If we start
> excluding countries and organizations on such assumptions - where do we
> draw the line? The majority of today's world population unfortunately has
> to live in problematic conditions, when it concerns democracy and
> dictators. Also - where should be draw the line on what is ethical use of
> QGIS and what not? Is oil exploration utilizing QGIS software allowed, as
> an example?
>
> As the current QGIS.ORG treasurer I can say that we had a sustaining
> member from Russia last year - there is no indication that this company is
> collaborating with the Putin government - though it is of course a bit hard
> to judge - of course - for outsiders.
>
> The vast majority of the Russian population is probably suffering from
> Putin's politics - my guess is that the majority of the Russian population
> would like to live in peace and prosperity and not be involved in such war
> and aggression. But do they have a real choice? Fair elections? I doubt it
> ... In that sense I am against excluding Russian QGIS users and
> contributors based on these events.
>
> We also have QGIS contributors from Ukraine who are now affected by this
> aggression - let's be supportive when there could be Ukrainian refugees in
> the coming months - and let's hope that this situation can soon be
> deescalated.
>
> Greetings,
> Andreas
>
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2022 at 10:09, landconsult at freenet.de <
> landconsult at freenet.de> wrote:
>
>> Dear List,
>>
>> like all free people in the world I totally condemn the Russian invasion
>> in Ukraine this morning. This is an attack on the free world and especially
>> on Europe and on all values of freedom which we all represent in a global,
>> peaceful open source community.
>>
>> - So, what can each individual do to defend this freedom?
>> - What can the QGIS community do?
>> - How can we be sure, that the know-how we develop will not be used for
>> Russian military purposes against the Ukraine?
>>
>> The invasion was confirmed by the Duma, the Russian parliament which is
>> the representative body of the Russian people. Consequently the Russian
>> population bears responsibility for the invasion and we should led them
>> know, that military force against an independent, free and democratic
>> European country goes against all the values we stand for in the open
>> source community.
>>
>> The least we can do is starting to think about a boycott of Russian
>> products and Russian co-operations to express our opinion to all Russian
>> companies and partners we know. Finally its up to the ordinary Russian man
>> to change this unbearable situation which is becoming a permanent threat to
>> free Europe.
>>
>> With this respect the QGIS developer community should also think about
>> excluding Russian partners and sponsors from all QGIS activities as long as
>> Russian troops are in the Ukraine.
>>
>> I think, the values of freedom we stand for, is the highest good we must
>> defend!
>>
>> How do you think about it?
>>
>> Very concerned greeting.
>>
>> Markus Weidenbach
>> landConsult.de
>> Bühl/Germany
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>
>
> --
>
> --
> Andreas Neumann
> QGIS.ORG board member (treasurer)
>
>

-- 

--
Andreas Neumann
QGIS.ORG board member (treasurer)
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