Brussels, 17/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 17 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Parliament President Martin Schulz called on Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych to give assurances that the decisions of the Ukrainian parliament (the Verkhovna Rada) restricting the freedom of demonstration would be revised and brought into line with Ukraine's international commitments. In Schulz's opinion, if these draft laws become laws, they “would push Ukraine back towards its authoritarian Soviet past”.
Ashton and Schulz, like Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle and the European Parliament's S&D and Greens Groups, said they were “deeply concerned” by the changes made to the judicial code. These changes “impose worrying restrictions on the rights of assembly and on the freedom of speech and media, and are contrary to Ukraine's international obligations”, Ashton stated. “The changes that seem to seriously curtail the activities of civil society organisations in Ukraine and simplify procedures for revocation of mandates of members of Parliament are equally worrying”, she added. In an interview with Interfax, Füle said he was “shocked”. “It is deeply disappointing to see such a turn from the European path of Ukraine. It is worrying to see this happening with such an important EU partner. The decisions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada represent disrespect for basic democratic principles and they not only raise concerns about the state of democracy and the future of Ukraine, but will also have consequences for the partnership between the EU and Ukraine”, he said.
Ashton criticised several laws “restricting the Ukrainian citizens' fundamental rights” that were adopted “hurriedly in an apparent disrespect” of parliamentary procedures and democratic principles. “A lack of transparency and violation of parliamentary procedures are not the way to make sound laws”, Schulz said.
These developments, which Ashton described as “regrettable”, come at a time of political crisis and “do not contribute to building confidence and finding a political solution”, she said. “These latest developments not only disrespect the will of the people protesting on the Maidan Square, but also could move Ukraine away from its European path and, indeed, away from the civilised world”, said Schulz.
On 16 January, the Ukrainian parliament, adopted a law toughening the legislation on protests. The law provides for punishment of up to two weeks in prison for setting up tents, stages or loudspeakers that have not been authorised in advance. Other laws provide for punishment of up to five years in prison for people blocking official buildings, measures and fines for those demonstrating with a mask or helmet or demonstrating in processions of cars. (CG/transl.fl)