Sri Lankan workers and youth support public meeting to demand release of Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk – WSWS
Over recent weeks, members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka have been campaigning for the upcoming public meeting, Free Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk. We urge our readers to attend this event, which will be held at the National Library Auditorium, Independent Square Avenue in Colombo 07, on Sunday July 7 at 3 p.m.
Bogdan, a leading member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), has been imprisoned by Ukraines fascistic Zelensky regime since April 25 on fraudulent charges of high treason, and aiding the Russian government.
These outrageous and crude lies have been hurled against the 25-year-old Ukrainian socialist because he, and the YGBL, oppose the US-NATO war against Russia and are fighting to unite Russian and Ukrainian workers on a socialist program against the capitalist oligarchs in both countries. The YGBL is affiliated with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).
On June 13, the ICFI held internationally coordinated pickets at Ukrainian embassies and consulates in the US, UK, Turkey, Germany, France, Canada and Australia to protest the arbitrary arrest and detention of Bogdan and present An Open Letter to the Ukrainian government: Release Bogdan Syrotiuk! Ukrainian embassies in the US, UK, Germany and France, however, refused to accept the letter.
There is no Ukrainian embassy in Sri Lanka and so the SEP is holding a public meeting in Colombo to intensify international action to demand Bogdans release.
Campaigners have received important support in northern Jaffna where the SEP and its predecessor, the Revolutionary Communist League, has a powerful base of support among minority Tamil people for its consistent and principled opposition to the three-decade communalist wars waged by successive Sri Lankan governments against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Tigers.
We publish below statements made by workers and students from across the islandColombo, Jaffna and Hambantotaand the Healthcare Workers Action Committee demanding Bogdans immediate release and the dropping of the bogus charges. Healthcare Workers Action Committee in Sri Lanka
The Healthcare Workers Action Committee in Sri Lanka convened a special meeting last week to discuss the escalating assault on democratic rights by the Zelensky government and to pass a resolution demanding Bogdans release. The resolution condemned his arrest and noted the thoroughly repressive situation in the country [Ukraine] which prevented Bogdan from obtaining adequate legal representation to fight the false charges against him.
The Health Workers Action Committee, which includes doctors, nurses and health assistants, noted that the struggle to stop the war must be based on the working class, youth and students with a socialist program. It explained that the political fight being waged by Bogdan and his YGBL was based on this program and stated, The freedom of Bogdan is a significant step in the fight against war and for socialism.
K. Ruban, a software engineering student at BCAS (British College of Applied Studies) in Jaffna
Innocent individuals are being made to sacrifice their lives for the imperialist interests of the US and NATO in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. I doubt whether the people who are dying from wars today, including the genocide in Gaza, know exactly why they are dying.
In his opposition to war, Bogan exposed the predatory motives of the imperialist countries. He has fought not only for the future of Ukrainian youth but for all of us. He should be freed.
An IT sector worker in Kokuvil, Jaffna
I didnt know about this comrade before. Wars are the worst thing for humanity and his fight against such a war is genuine. It is not acceptable that he was arrested by the Ukrainian government, and I strongly condemn it.
The Ukrainian government has stripped his democratic rights and I agree that these vicious attacks are worldwide phenomena.
S. Nivashan, a Jaffna University science faculty student
Bogdan has exposed the real interests behind the war. If they [the Zelensky government] let him exercise his freedom of speech, then their war effort will be exposed, and they would be unable to gather support.
Anyone who listens to him will agree with him and this is the very reason they are framing him as a Russian agent. This is false. Bogdan has exposed the Putins regime, as well as the Ukrainian government which is supported by NATO. The international unity of the working class must be forged to win his freedom and for the termination of the war.
Sanduni, third-year zoology student from the Jaffna University science faculty
I dont like any war and we should never forget the experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I know that a nuclear war would cause the worst consequences, yet all these imperialist powers seem to ignore this.
We have faced a war and went through a lot of hard things. But after coming to Jaffna, I now realise that the Tamil people underwent much more hardships than us in other areas.
We lost a lot of livesTamil and Sinhala youth. They fought and died, not for their own interests but because they were pitted against each other by the capitalist politicians. I think the same goes with Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has imprisoned Bogdan Syrotiuk because his activism. He tells workers and young people that this is not your war. I demand he be released forthwith.
Nelum Chinthaka, a young farmer from Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka
I understand that there is no solution in groveling to the capitalists. We need to build a workers and peasant movement. Bogdan fought for socialism and against war. This brave Ukrainian socialist fought to build an anti-war movement. People of the world must raise their voice against this injustice and demand his release from prison unconditionally.
As far as I know, America intervenes and makes war all over the world. Thousands of lives have been lost through it. Its intervention in the Middle East has been disastrous. The US and European countries are behind the war in Ukraine. Even in the war in Sri Lanka, countries like the US, helped the Sri Lankan government. That is why a hundred thousand Tamils were killed in Mullivaikkal [in the Northern Province].
Aslam, a young mechanic from Meethotamulla, a Colombo suburb
Bogdan fought to defend democratic rights and just because of that the Zelensky government has arrested him to shut his mouth and thus to destroy him
The [Ukrainian embassies who refused to accept the ICFIs Open Letter] may have been influenced by the US and Zelensky government. This is not democracy when they dont even accept such a protest letter. They do not allow us to express our opinions. There must be a fight to get Bogdan out.
Kandambi, a worker from Ragama, north of Colombo
Everyone should vehemently condemn the Zelensky government in Ukraine for its arrest and detention of Bogdan Syrotiuk, a leading political activist of Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists, a Trotskyist organisation active in the former Soviet Union. The obvious factor in this situation is that the life of this young socialist is in danger.
Young political activists like Bogdan should be commended. We here in Sri Lanka also should join to this international campaign for the freedom of Bogdan. We should denounce the Ukrainian government for keeping him under arrest and blocking his right to free expression. Meanwhile, we should ask foreign embassies in this country to raise this issue with the Ukrainian government.
Immediate freedom for Bogdan and the dropping of all the allegations against him! Let us fight and protest the blocking of his right to free speech! Stand up with this protest throughout South Asia, including Sri Lanka! Value and fight for political freedom!
Sign up for the WSWS email newsletter
- Letters: After seeing the wealthy get wealthier, I think Chicago could use some socialism - Chicago Tribune - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Higher education must be front and center in the fight against socialism - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani and the the false hope of socialism rises again - Christian Post - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - Yahoo News Canada - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Protester with Party for Socialism and Liberation in Atlanta speaks out against Trump policies at 'No Kings' rally - 11Alive.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - Yahoo - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After years of socialism, Bolivias runoff tests its shift to the right - thecanadianpressnews.ca - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Youth in Revolt: Fight for International Socialism! - Socialist Alternative - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- After 20 years of socialism, Bolivia set to shift right in run-off - Buenos Aires Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Mark Ruffalo Thinks We Have Too Many Billionaires, Socialism Is The Answer - OutKick - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- New Yorkers must save the city of dreams from Mamdanis socialism - The Hill - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- As Bolivias Elections Near, Why Socialism Is Out And The Catholic Church Might Be In - Religion Unplugged - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- After 20 years of socialism, Bolivian voters look right for economic salvation - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Socialism offers whats wrong with capitalism - The Seattle Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- The Twilight of Socialism in Bolivia - The National Interest - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Public Meeting in London: The American Volcano: Towards Fascism or Socialism - World Socialist Web Site - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Karl Marx Was Obsessed with Satan: The Deadly Truth About Socialism - cbn.com - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Beware: A New Creeping Socialism In Government Is Growing - Forbes - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- With Barrio Walks, the Party for Socialism and Liberation relays essential immigration resources - CaloNews.com - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Abahlali baseMjondolo marks 20 years of struggle for land, dignity, and socialism - Peoples Dispatch - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Dave Ramsey Says His Company Has Never Had A Layoff In 35 Years. 'If I Have To Cut Payroll To Stay Open, I Will. Socialism Doesn't Fix It' - Benzinga - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Hasan Piker on Streaming, Zohran Mamdani, and the Future of Socialism - Home Current Affairs - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- What Would Zohran Do? Reflections on the Prospects for Democratic Socialism in a Small College Town - Amherst Indy - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Business Rundown: Zohran Mamdanis Rise And The Socialism Threat - FOX News Radio - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Trump ramps up private sector intervention even as he warns of socialism - Washington Examiner - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Dont let New York beta test socialism for the rest of America - Washington Examiner - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Labour has just exposed socialism as an exhausted ideology - The Telegraph - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Trump Keeps Blurring the Line Between Capitalism and Socialism - The Wall Street Journal - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats on all levels are mainstreaming socialism - The Hill - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Trace Gallagher: Turns out it's socialism that never has to say sorry - Yahoo - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- People Vote for Conservative Policies, Get Socialism Interview With Gerald Grosz - Hungary Today - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Socialism on the Hudson - Manhattan Institute - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Imperialism cannot make us abandon the path of socialism, reaffirms Cuban foreign minister - Peoples Dispatch - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Trace Gallagher: Turns out it's socialism that never has to say sorry - Fox News - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- "Deconstructing Settler Socialism - Anarchism and the Internationals in the Wild West" - Author Talk - Indybay - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats Increasingly Favor Socialism Over Capitalism in Shocking Polling Shift - MSN - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Socialism intends to extinguish the light of Freedom in Spain: Lets turn on more - Contando Estrelas - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Zack Polanskis socialism response is really resonating with people - thecanary.co - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Why its folly to recycle a failed ideology like socialism in India - Times of India - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- SBAs Loeffler: NYC businesses sound alarm as socialism, population loss, and capital flight threaten growth - Fox Business - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Why its a folly to recycle a failed ideology like socialism in India - Times of India - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Why socialism resonates with Gen Z and Millennials across the USand how it reshaped NYC politics - Moneycontrol - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- SBAs Loeffler: NYC businesses sound alarm as socialism, population loss, and capital flight threaten growth - MSN - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Texas State professor fired over comments at socialism conference to be reinstated as legal process unfolds - KVUE - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- The legacy of Indian socialism cant be allowed to fade away. Its the Left we need - The Indian Express - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Acton Institute grant funds an exploration of capitalism versus socialism in the Johnson Center for Political Economy - Troy University - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- The economy's moribund. Socialism rules. Police come knocking if you say or think the wrong thing. Now, in an authoritarian new plan that'll make... - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Socialism or barbarism: Why you should be a communist - Revolutionary Communist Party - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Curriculum, teaching syllabus on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era published - China Daily - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- 67: Fighting for socialism in the United States - Green Left - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Berrien Makes Hongs Socialism Focus of Governors Race - MacIver Institute - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Shashi Tharoor writes: Rethinking capitalism and socialism in India and beyond - The Indian Express - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Tenured Texas State professor fired for comments at socialism conference sues university over termination - KVUE - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- How Does Socialism With Chinese Characteristics Actually Look and Feel Like? - TheWire.in - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Are Americans ready for the reality of socialism? - Fox News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Charlie Kirk's faith, are Americans ready for socialism, and more from Fox News Opinion - Fox News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Corvallis Gazette-Times - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - STLtoday.com - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Socialism and Communism Arent What You Think They Are - Vision Times - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- NYC voters wary of Mamdanis socialism, but split field keeps him in the lead - Jewish Insider - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - MSN - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Is US government stake in Intel a good idea or socialism or both? - Asia Times - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Gutfeld: Socialism must be perfect to work, which is why it must be done with force - Fox News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- No, East Germany Wasnt Socialist and Neither Is Democratic Socialism - Left Voice - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Morning Joe Rips Trump Administration's University Patent Proposal as 'Full, Blown-Out Socialism' | Video - TheWrap - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Take up the fight for socialism! Mobilise the working class against genocide, dictatorship and world war! - World Socialist Web Site - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Salazar denounces horrors of socialism in newly introduced resolution - Ripon Advance - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Critics Call the Government's Stake in Intel Socialism. Are They Right? - DTN Progressive Farmer - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- The Socialism of Fools Reaches Record Levels in Britain, Having Doubled in Four Years - The New York Sun - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Americans positive view of capitalism falls, while thoughts on socialism rise - Straight Arrow News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- 'Socialism': Joe slams Trump official for saying U.S. should take chunk of college's patent revenue - yahoo.com - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Gutfeld: Socialism must be perfect to work, which is why it must be done with force - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Americans' positive view of capitalism falls, while thoughts on socialism rise - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - AP News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Poll: What Americans think about socialism and capitalism - niagara-gazette.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Carolina Coast Online - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Weatherford Democrat - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- This is socialism: Trumps private sector intervention causes heartburn on right - Roll Call - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- AJC readers write about green energy needs and a deal that looks like socialism - AJC.com - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Xi Jinping bonds with Kim Jong Un over 'common ideals' of socialism at first meeting in years - Washington Examiner - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]