UCC Denounces Ivashchenko Sentencing; Calls on Canada to  Act re Democracy in Ukraine

Ottawa, April 16, 2012 - The Ukrainian Canadian community is deeply disturbed by the verdict handed down on April 12, 2012 in the trial against the former Defence Minister of Ukraine, Valery Ivashchenko sentencing him to 5 years imprisonment after 18 months of pre-trial imprisonment on charges related to abuse of office.

He is the third minister in the cabinet of jailed opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to be jailed in recent months on similar charges. This follows on the heels of the recent conviction of former Tymoshenko government Environment Minister Heorhy Filipchuk who was jailed for 3 years for a contract with a legal firm over Black Sea exploration. Mrs. Yulia Tymoshenko was sentenced on October 11, 2011 to 7 years incarceration and a 3-year ban from holding public office for having signed a gas deal with the Russian Federation that is “unfavourable to Ukraine” during her term in office.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress calls upon the Government of Canada to formally and publicly express its disapproval of this disturbing decline in democratic practices and human rights in Ukraine. With the persecution and threats directed at the political opposition, it will be very difficult for the international community to accept the legitimacy of the upcoming Parliamentary elections in October 2012.

“Canada must urge the Ukrainian authorities to cease the politically motivated trials, provide for a fair judicial process and guarantee basic human rights such as proper medical care. The complete absence of due process continues to tarnish Ukraine’s international reputation,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.

“Canada must send a clear message to President Yanukovych that these types of actions will lead to serious consequences including jeopardizing the negotiation of a Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement,” continued Grod. “We ask that Canada continue to play a principled role in protecting human rights in Ukraine, building upon the leadership that Prime Minister Harper initiated during his trip to Ukraine in October 2010 and which continues today as Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda visits Ukraine.”

In a letter to Prime Minister Harper last week, the UCC called upon the Canadian government to: 

1. Publicly condemn the latest instances of politically-motivated selective justice targeted at the political opposition; 

2. Amend the current mandate of CIDA for Ukraine to refocus on governance, support for civil society and democratic development; 

3. Announce a large-scale and long-term election observation mission to Ukraine that should begin its work as-soon-as possible;

4. Encourage Canada, along with its allies to undertake a thorough investigation of money laundering and the use of illegal offshore investments through Fintrac along with our American and European allies as a precursor to the imposition of possible direct personal sanctions; and

5. Immediate review the status of Canada’s the free trade negotiations with Ukraine. At minimum, any FTA with Ukraine must incorporate human rights as a fundamental tenet, including a compliance and enforcement mechanism for human rights standards.