Last week, the US government presented a draft peace plan to end the war
in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government was not involved in the development of
this plan, which was prepared jointly by the US and Russia. The 28 points of
this peace plan, which are very favourable to Russia, include the cession of
Ukrainian territories, restrictions on the Ukrainian army and its equipment,
the impossibility for Ukraine to choose its alliances, and a general amnesty
for actions and crimes carried out during the war. The peace plan must take
into account the position of Ukraine and the European Union, and provide for
unconditional compliance with international law. Geneva talks are a first step
towards greater multilateralism and a more balanced peace plan, but many issues
remain to be discussed in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Unwavering support for Ukraine, a country under attack, in its war with
Russia, does not preclude criticism of its government's policies when they
jeopardise the rights of its education workers. ETUCE opposes the conclusions
of the Parliament Committee on Education, Science and Innovation to the Draft
Law on the State Budget for 2026
In accordance with the ETUCE resolutions:
‘Resolution
for Peace in Ukraine’ (2022)
‘Protecting
and Supporting Education in Times of War and Armed Conflict’ (2024)
‘Declaration on Peace’
(2024)
In response
to :
Urgent
call to action to stop legislative changes that threaten teachers copublished
by EI and ETUCE on 25th November
The ETUCE Committee
reaffirms:
Its
support for Ukraine, a country under attack, and condemns the invasion of its
territory by the Russian Federation.
Its
commitment to peace and the protection of children and education personnel
during armed conflicts.
Its
condemnation of the deportation of Ukrainian children.
Its
mission to defend the rights of education workers throughout Europe.
Teachers'
unwavering commitment to defending democracy and their importance in building a
just and lasting peace in the future.
The ETUCE Committee
considers that:
No
just and lasting peace can exist without the involvement of all parties
concerned in the entire peace process.
Respect
for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States are fundamental
elements of international security. Any change of borders by force is illegal.
Those
responsible for war crimes cannot benefit from amnesty. They must be tried and
convicted by a competent court.
The
rights of educators must not be violated or narrowed under any circumstances,
regardless of the dificult political and economic situation in the country or
the martial law.
The
conclusions of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Innovation
concerning the draft state budget bill for 2026 threaten the status of the
teaching profession and violate international labour standards.
The ETUCE Committee
calls for:
A
ceasefire and a just and lasting peace
The
withdrawal of Russian troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
Respect
and protection of teacher’s rights and improvenent, not deterioration, of their
working conditions, as this is a vital condition for ensuring quality education
and the country’s recovery.
The
immediate return of deported Ukrainian children.
The
withdrawal of amendments that threaten the teaching profession.
The
implementation of the recommendations made by the United Nations High-Level
Panel and the Santiago Consensus. Recommendations relayed in ETUCE’s Make
Teaching Attractive and EI's Go Public campaigns to improve the status of
teachers.
