| Civic Committee of the Solidarity with Ukraine | |
| Native Name: | Komitet Obywatelski Solidarności z Ukrainą |
| Native Name Lang: | pl |
| Abbreviation: | KOSzU |
| Founders: | --> |
| Founding Location: | Warsaw, Poland |
| Dissolved: | --> |
| Focus: | --> |
| Region Served: | --> |
| Languages: | --> |
| Leader Name: | Krzysztof Stanowski |
| Publication: | --> |
| Parent Organisation: | --> |
Civic Committee of the Solidarity with Ukraine (Polish: Komitet Obywatelski Solidarności z Ukrainą or KOSzU) – is a Polish organisation founded on the principles of supporting pro-democratic changes in Ukraine. The group was established at the beginning of the Revolution of Dignity (Revolution of Euromaidan) in early 2014.
The mission, as declared in the Founding Declaration, is the support of pro-democratic changes in Ukraine. While also providing support for the people and organisations that are oppressed for their political beliefs.[1] [2]
Another aim includes swinging the public opinion in Poland and also abroad, to build solidarity with Ukraine. There also is money collection for the Fund of Solidarity with Ukraine. Although this is mostly support and promotion of various already existing non-governmental initiatives.
The Civic Committee also supports initiatives that are designed to aid the Ukrainian civilians in dire need. The Civic Committee has also stood firm that they will always support organisations and initiatives that are involved in activities for pro-democratic changes in Ukraine.
The Civic Committee will engage in conversation and cooperate between the different regions in Poland and Ukraine. Eventually their aim is to gain cooperation of local administration on all levels.
A final mission of the Civic Committee is to Inform the media and public about the true situation in Ukraine and to debunk rumours and speculatory claims.
The Committee (KOSzU) was founded on 30 January 2014. This was then announced in a press conference held on 4 February 2014 in Warsaw.[3]
The name of the committee, its structure and activities, are a reference to the tradition of Solidarity Citizens' Committees of the late 1980s. Which declared that "people of various political stands and diverse nationalities worked together for the creation of independent and self-governing Republic" (Rzeczpospolita). According to its founding declaration, the Committee wants to ensure that the citizens of Ukraine have the same possibility of building an independent state and - acting by the rule of subsidiarity - maintain close connections and support with them in their actions towards this goal.
Simultaneously, from its foundation, KOSzU have declared the policy of political independence. And also, that it will not be attempting to gain legal personality or own assets.
The activities of the Committee are based on social and voluntary work of its own members, which are organised in working sections:
The information section, based on the direct support of the territory of Ukraine - this section can run public collections in order to support the wounded, the repressed and their families.
The local government section - which mediates and initiates the organisations of support for Ukrainian protest movements by the local authorities in Poland, including those who have signed sister cities agreements with cities or regions within Ukraine.
The section of direct actions in Poland.
The legal section - providing support in publicizing cases of abuse, especially in cases of force inflicted upon Ukrainian citizens. This section also conducts the publicity in Poland, on cases of people who are discriminated and attacked by Ukrainian authorities. The legal section also prepares intervention letters to Ukrainian representatives, on the fate of protesters on whom unlawful investigations have been requested or granted.