Canadian Officials Send Protest Letter to PM Harper

(Kyiv Post, August 10, 2011)

August 9, 2011

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper:

The imprisonment by Ukrainian authorities of the former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has led to international criticism of the apparent use of the law to carry out political persecutions in Ukraine. We are proud, therefore, of the forthright statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird, condemning the Ukrainian action. We would ask the Canadian government to take one further step and make it clear to the Ukrainian authorities that conclusion of the free trade agreement with Ukraine now under negotiation will depend on the Ukrainian government respecting in letter and spirit the rule of law, human rights and democratic freedoms.

With warm regards,
Derek Fraser, Ambassador for Canada to Ukraine (1998-2001)
Nestor Gayowsky, Consul-General and Chargé d’Affaires for Canada to Ukraine (1990-1992)
Stewart Goodings, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ottawa and BC (retired)
Kenneth T. Hepburn, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Communications (retired)

François Mathys, Ambassador for Canada to Ukraine (1992-1995)