EN 
NL 
Ralph du Long, number thirteen on the list of GroenLinks-PvdA for the European elections in 2024, is a veteran within the party. Besides his years of experience in politics in the north of the Netherlands, he has been active as a human rights trainer for 25 years and is site manager in a crisis shelter for asylum seekers. Du Long advocates unconditional support for Ukraine but also seeks to connect precisely with Russians fighting for freedom in their country. The FMS spoke to the Drenthe native about the situation in Russia, the war in Ukraine and the Navalny Fund. But also about the importance of regional cooperation, Dutchness and hope for the future.
Russia and the fight for LGBT+ rights
Early in his career, Ralph makes his first trips to Eastern Europe. In Russia, he spoke on behalf of United Against Racism in St Petersburg about discrimination against members of the LGBT+ community. He found himself in a "very different Russia around the year 2000, it was really the decline of the Soviet economy and the rise of brutal capitalism". But unlike today, "there was also room for space for other, democratic voices, as long as it did not deviate too far".
Openly expressing an LGBT+ identity is "totally impossible" in today's Russia. "The struggle back then was really from very specific LGBT+ organisations and very brave people." "Over the course of the past decade, stricter and stricter legislation has been introduced. That started with propaganda but at the moment the whole LGBT+ movement has been declared extremist. That means you risk up to 15 years in prison with any expression."
"I want them to be able to leave Russia from time to time and refuel and network in the EU. That way we can build bridges between independent Russian politicians and the EU."
Increased repression has had far-reaching consequences for the LGBT+ movement as part of the wider human rights movement in Russia. The story of Ralph's colleague and friend Elena Belokurova gives a good picture of what this means. Elena organised meetings where people within the LGBT+ community could come together, secretly of course. "We often talked about it being too dangerous for her but she was always flippant about that. Eventually, the authorities tracked her down and her gathering was rudely disrupted by heavily armed police and camera crews." Footage of the raid, where you can see several people lying handcuffed on the ground, was shown on national television. "Elena is now out of the country. This is the Russia of the moment. This is the foreland of Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic States if Putin has his way."
Just for people like Elena, Ralph called out the Navalny fund in life. "Of course it is not called that by chance, it is meant for the people, my colleagues and friends, who have stayed. We have to support them". "They live under continuous pressure and tension. I want them to be able to leave Russia from time to time and refuel and network in the EU. That way we can build bridges between independent Russian politicians and the EU. And then they can go back - that's where the punchline is. back". Ralph's amendment to incorporate the Navalny Fund into the GL-PvdA party programme was widely adopted.
Ukraine
During the Maidan protests, over 10 years ago now, the Ukrainian people sent a clear message that as far as they were concerned, their future was European. Ralph was there then and still maintains strong ties with the country, also going that way regularly. He denounces the EU's wavering attitude towards Ukraine, "we are constantly running behind the facts, that's what we do all the time."
While doubts are slowly emerging in the West about the effectiveness of support for Ukraine, Ralph is resolute: "We should support Ukraine for as long as it is needed, which could be 100 years. That is an attitude, there is no strategy behind it yet. We need a clear strategy, both from the EU and NATO. What do we really want to achieve in that area?"
"We are constantly behind the times, that's what we do all the time. We need to have a plan, a strategy for what we want with Ukraine."
While Ralph remains combative and hopeful, he also sees the changing mood in Ukraine. "The last time we were there, we already noticed that the mood has changed. You can see that optimism has given way to something else. In Kherson, you now see tank barriers popping up everywhere." "Right now, it's just exciting." But when do you decide to possibly start negotiations? "That can only come from Ukraine, supported in this by Europe. The Ukrainians are realistic, they can decide that moment themselves." "If the Netherlands was now half occupied and only the north was still free, surely you would also want to decide for yourself when and if we give up the lost territory?"
The importance of local cooperation
Although less drastic than in Ukraine, other countries on the edges of the EU are also threatened by autocratic forces. Whereas the EU mainly tries to put pressure on governments to carry out reforms, Ralph has more eye for local and regional initiatives. This is precisely where you can increase the message of and support for the European Union. "I think we need to do things more locally and regionally. Because of my work, I was asked if we could bring women activists, from Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Belarus here to Assen." "We did that for years and there was huge interest from the region. As a result, people made contact with people they would never have otherwise."
"That their struggle has been so noticeable has been the basis for the extensive support for Ukraine."
Sharing stories has meant that the urgency of a potential threat from Russia is hugely alive in the north. "Go talk to these women, listen to their story and then imagine how quickly it could come to you". From the Protestant church in Assen, among others, there are regular transports heading to Ukraine. "The fact that the struggle of these people has been so noticeable has contributed enormously to the extensive support for Ukraine."
Election attention
Asked if the elections are alive and well in his area, Ralph is clear; "no, Europe nobody is going to run for that." It is not alive at all, and that while so many important decisions are made in Europe. We as a left-wing movement should therefore be even more responsive to important issues within Europe.
"Shared security could be a heartfelt left-wing theme, especially if you manage to link it to the human rights theme."
"It is not just about cows or energy transition. As far as I am concerned, the EU campaign should also really be about security. This is traditionally seen as a right-wing theme and that has always surprised me. Common security could be a heartfelt left-wing theme, especially if you manage to link it with the human rights theme."
European, Dutch or Drentenaar after all?
"I am Indian, but my background is also Jewish and Armenian. My family is a huge mix. I still have relatives in Indonesia, some of whom are strict Muslims. But we are family, so we talk to each other. I also have a lot of family in America, some of them are strict Christian and Trump supporters but I have conversations with them too."
"You have to claim your country. If you say you are not Dutch, you leave the country to people who do claim that Dutchness, often in a very nationalistic way."
"When I used to be asked 'what are you?' I always said 'I am from the Netherlands'. I never said I was Dutch, it didn't feel that way." But a few years ago, Ralph received advice from a German priest that has always stayed with him. "You have to claim your country. If you say you are not Dutch, you leave the country to people who do claim that Dutchness, often in a very nationalistic way." He has since stood firm on his Dutch citizenship. But, he says, "I also definitely consider myself European and when I go elsewhere in the Netherlands I also feel like a northerner."
A message of hope
These are turbulent times in a political playing field that is increasingly shifting to the right and where solidarity seems to be fading into the background. From Ralph's profile as a politician speaks hope and idealism, he remains hopeful: "I am not a pessimist, quite the contrary. I have always worked with young people, and when I see how many young people stand for certain values and ideals, I am not at all pessimistic. That is really quite different from 20, 30 years ago. Just very hopeful."
"I am not a pessimist, on the contrary. I have always worked with young people, and when I see how many young people stand for certain values and ideals, I am not pessimistic at all.
Still, left-wing parties seem to be looking for an answer to the increasing popularity of (extreme) right-wing parties. "I don't think we need to start inventing an answer. Nor should it be so much a fear of the far right. Instead, you should pick it apart." "Justice, the free press, independent organisations, that's what you should start talking about. So not so much this focus on the extreme right but rather emphasising the things we find important."
