Ukrainian Canadian Congress...
... Denounces Brutal Attack on EuroMaidan Protestors
Ottawa, November 30, 2013 - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress today denounced the brutal violence perpetrated against the peaceful protestors of “EuroMaidan” in Kyiv, Ukraine by Berkut Special Forces, which left dozens seriously injured. These demonstrators were attacked while gathered in Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), expressing their desire to integrate into the European Union.
“We thank the Government of Canada for their strong condemnation of the actions by the Government of Ukraine. We ask all Western governments to immediately impose targeted economic sanctions against those individuals responsible for these human rights abuses in Ukraine, including the freezing of assets and restrictions on visas,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.
We urge Ukrainian authorities to investigate and prosecute those who authorized and executed these acts of violence against the people of Ukraine. We further call for the resignation of the authorities in Ukraine who have deliberately acted against the will and interests of the Ukrainian people.
The use of violence against peaceful protesters has sparked resignations by Members of Parliament from the governing Party of Regions and the resignation of a senior Ukrainian diplomat to Canada, Ms. Natalia Holub.
“We call upon the Ukrainian Canadian community to contact their elected officials to condemn this brutal act. We further call upon all Canadians to support the people of Ukraine through peaceful demonstrations and acts of protest at venues across the country.”
The UCC will be posting photos and videos on its Facebook page and will be posting pictures and videos on hash-tag #EuroMaidan Canada. Please send links, photos and videos to anna.jacyniak@gmail.com
For more information, please contact Taras Zalusky: email taras.zalusky@ucc.ca or call (613) 232-8822 at the UCC National Office. Also visit www.ucc.ca
... Disappointed with Vilnius Summit Failure
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress expressed its disappointment with the Government of Ukraine over its decision to oppose the will of the Ukrainian people and turn its back on signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement at the Third Summit of the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius, November 28-29, 2013.
It has become clear that Ukraine’s President, Viktor Yanukovych, arrived in Vilnius without any intention to reach an agreement. This is extremely disappointing since it is counter to the formal position taken by the Government of Ukraine, the Parliament of Ukraine, and the expressed will of the Ukrainian people, who have peacefully demonstrated on the streets of cities across Ukraine since November 21.
Media reports indicate that European Commission President Jos Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy had offered President Yanukovych the opportunity to sign the Association Agreement at the Summit, even though Kyiv did not fully comply with the EU’s benchmarks.
The UCC was further disappointed to learn that President Yanukovych turned down a plan allowing Ukraine to sign the Association Agreement at the next EU-Ukraine summit early next year - putting any decision off the table for 2 years until after the 2015 Presidential Election.
EC President Barroso estimated that signing the Association Agreement would save Ukrainian business some €500 million ($700million CAD) annually in import duties and would “increase Ukraine’s GDP by more than 6% in the longer term”, while giving “momentum to billion-euro loan negotiations with international financial institutions.”