Parliamentary Group Has Concern Over Prosecution of Yulia Tymoshenko

Ottawa – Robert Sopuck, Chair of the all-party Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and MP for Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, issued the following statement in response to the arrest in Ukraine of Yulia Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister and current leader of the opposition.

“I am deeply concerned by the seemingly politically motivated prosecution, and now arrest, of Yulia Tymoshenko. The appearance of political bias in judicial proceedings undermines the rule of law. On behalf of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, I urge the Ukrainian government to strengthen judiciary independence and continue to support efforts to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous society in Ukraine.”

 
Members of the Canadian Group for Democracy in Ukraine applaud the statement by the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.  We believe that it will encourage Ukrainians to resist the backsliding threatening their country’s democracy.  In particular, we thank you for drawing attention to the politically motivated arrests of some 55 members of the opposition; above all that of the key leader Mrs. Yulia Tymoshenko. 

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MP Robert Sopuck