We, Taiwanese anthropologists, stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people against the Russian invasion. The Russian military assault on Ukraine has shocked the world. No war can be justified by historical narratives, and no invasion should be legitimized by military calculation. As anthropologists, at the heart of our work is humanity, diversity, and empathy, especially in the persistent prevalence of imperialism, racism, and injustice in this world. The discipline also teaches us to challenge power and cherish resistance. The courage of the Ukrainian people to defend their sovereignty, freedom and land against all of Russia’s military prowess is inspiring but equally heart-wrenching.

 

As Taiwanese anthropologists, we feel an even greater urge to make this statement, as we work and live in a vibrant democracy that has often been denied its status and voices due to an intimidating military threat. We thereby strongly demand the immediate termination of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. In the meantime, we will continue to stand in solidarity with all the people around the world, who have been living under military aggression, including those from Palestine, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia, and many more. May peace and difference prevail, and freedom never die.

 

Taiwan Society for Anthropology and Ethnology 2022/3/5

 

 

我們是一群台灣人類學者，我們與烏克蘭人民站在一起，反對俄羅斯入侵。俄羅斯對烏克蘭的軍事攻擊震撼了世界。沒有一種歷史敘事可以合理化發動戰爭，也沒有一種軍事謀算可以合法化入侵。對人類學者而言，人性、人類文化的多元性與同理始終是我們的核心價值，而這樣的價值在不公不義、種族主義、與帝國擴張仍大行其道的時刻，顯得特別重要。人類學除了作為一個致力於研究多元性的學科之外，它也教導我們挑戰強權並珍惜抵抗。面對俄羅斯強大的軍力，烏克蘭人民捍衛主權、自由與土地所展現的勇氣啟發人心，但也令人痛心。

 

作為台灣的人類學者，我們更覺得有必要發聲，因為我們生活在一個民主社會裡，但這個民主社會在國際上卻時常被否認、被噤聲，只因為有一個恫嚇各國的軍事威脅存在。我們強烈要求俄羅斯立即停止軍事入侵，並持續聲援烏克蘭人民。同時，我們也與世界上苦於軍事戰禍的許許多多人──從巴勒斯坦、葉門、敘利亞、南蘇丹、奈及利亞、馬利到衣索比亞等地──同在，祈願和平存異，自由不息。

 

臺灣人類學與民族學學會 2022/3/5