The Anti-War Initiatives Platform, uniting more than 80 anti-war organizations and initiatives, has elected human rights activist Evi Chaika as the Platform's representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The decision was made following an internal vote held from November 10 to 16, 2025, in accordance with principles of transparency and equal participation. All members of the Platform's collegium, including representatives of organizations and individual participants, had the right to vote. As a result of the voting, Evi Chaika received 60.7% support from the voting organizations.
The Anti-War Initiatives Platform, uniting more than 80 anti-war organizations and initiatives, has elected human rights activist Evi Chaika as the Platform's representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The decision was made following an internal vote held from November 10 to 16, 2025, in accordance with principles of transparency and equal participation. All members of the Platform's collegium, including representatives of organizations and individual participants, had the right to vote.
As a result of the voting, Evi Chaika received 60.7% support from the voting organizations.
The appointment of a representative became possible after the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved a resolution on October 1, 2025, to create a platform for dialogue with Russian democratic forces in exile. This refers to a consultative body under PACE designed to ensure structured and regular exchanges with representatives of the opposition and civil society excluded from the official Russian delegation following the start of aggression against Ukraine.
Evi Chaika will be nominated for inclusion in the Platform of Russian Democratic Forces at PACE and will focus her work on advancing the key goals of the anti-war movement: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine, protecting human rights, and shaping a democratic future for Russia.
Evi Chaika is a human rights activist and founder of EQUAL PostOst. The organization provides support to queer people and vulnerable groups facing persecution from countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, particularly Russia. Evi is a member of the organizing group of Brussels Dialogues and a participant in various anti-war and human rights alliances. At EQUAL PostOst, Evi Chaika leads areas of advocacy, relocation, and transnational repressions, with a focus on humanitarian visas, evacuation, and support for people at risk of persecution both inside Russia and abroad. She also actively participates in projects assisting Ukraine.
Since 2014, Evi Chaika has publicly and consistently condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine, and since February 2022, she has been actively involved in projects providing direct support to Ukrainian refugees and those affected by the war. She speaks as an expert at international conferences and platforms dedicated to human rights, inclusivity, the situation in Russia, and humanitarian aid.
“For me, it is important to bring a human voice back into the conversation about Russia. To show that even in conditions of war and repression, there are people who resist the regime, help others, and believe in change. The value of the anti-war Platform for PACE lies in its unique combination of experience in direct assistance to anti-war Russians and vulnerable groups with systemic European advocacy and deep sensitivity to the consequences of the war. Combining this experience with European advocacy and sensitivity through the lens of vulnerable groups—that is, with inclusivity—will make this platform vibrant and truly effective,” — notes Evi Chaika.
Member of the Collegium of the Anti-War Initiatives Platform, Mikhail Liberov, emphasizes the collective nature of this decision:
“This is not just the choice of a representative, but a demonstration of the strength of our alliance. The Platform unites very diverse initiatives—from those helping deserters to feminist and LGBTQ organizations—and gives them a common voice. Evi Chaika will strengthen our advocacy in Europe while maintaining a focus on helping those affected by the war and on dialogue with Ukrainian civil society.”
The selection of the representative confirms the Anti-War Initiatives Platform's commitment to the principles of non-violence, equality, inclusivity, and transparency.
The final decision on including the candidacy in the consultative body remains with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.