17.01.2014

Statement by Elmar Brok, Chair of the AFET Committee on legislation adopted by the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada on 16 January

I am alarmed by what happened yesterday in the Ukrainian parliament. Not only were laws adopted in a way which is clearly in violation of basic democratic rules (no prior notification that they were on the agenda, unverified voting etc). Their purpose and effect is in clear contradiction with international commitments taken by Ukraine as member and chair of the OSCE, member of the council of Europe and as partner of the EU. These laws, which restrict fundamental freedoms of Ukrainian citizens and undermine the independence of Ukrainian lawmakers, are now before President Yanukovitch. If he signs them, he gives a clear signal to his citizens and to Ukraine’s international partners that he has been misleading them and that he never really embraced the principles of democracy, rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights. The next few hours will show us what Yanukovitch’s real commitment is.