UNF of Canada Statement on the Political Trials in Ukraine

The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada (UNF) condemns the erosion of democratic rights in Ukraine demonstrated in recent months by the escalating legal harassment of opposition politicians, evinced most notably by the arrests of former Minister of Internal Affairs, Yuriy Lutsenko, and now former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

It would be disingenuous for Ukrainian authorities to refuse to intervene on grounds of respect for the independence of Ukraine’s judiciary. It is, after all, the governmental and executive powers that have authorized and continue to permit the prosecution before the courts of what amounts to cases of political oppression.

It is incumbent on the Government of Ukraine to honour its international and domestic commitments to the strengthening of Ukraine’s civil and democratic society. It is also incumbent on the President of Ukraine to exercise his sworn obligation to defend the constitutional rights of Ukraine’s citizens.

UNF’s members participating in the Ukrainian Embassy’s official celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence will take advantage of this milestone, one which unites all Ukrainians around the world, to convey the UNF’s position on this matter to Ukraine’s diplomatic representatives to Canada.

In concert with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, of which it is a founding member, the UNF also urges the Government of Canada to press the President and Government of Ukraine to discontinue prosecution and persecution of opposition politicians and measures that are diverting Ukraine from the path to freedom and democracy.

Taras Pidzamecky                                Daria Diakowsky

National President                                National Secretary

Toronto, Canada

August 18, 2011