In Wake of Unrest, UN Welcomes Dialogue between Ukrainian President and Opposition
New York, Jan 31 2014 - The United Nations human rights office today welcomed the start of dialogue between President
Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition in Ukraine following weeks of violent unrest, as well as the abolition this week of
laws restricting the exercise of fundamental rights.
“We call for this dialogue to be sustainable, inclusive and grounded on the full respect of international human rights
treaties ratified by Ukraine,” the spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rupert
Colville, told a news conference in Geneva.
The Ukrainian capital, Kiev, has been witnessing mass protests since late November, following a Government decision not
to sign an agreement on broader integration with the European Union.
The demonstrations flared up again last week in the wake of legislation passed on 16 January that restricted the
exercise of fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression, and the
operation of non-governmental organizations, as well as imposed penalties, including prison sentences, for breaches.
Mr. Colville welcomed the abolition by the Ukrainian Parliament earlier this week of those laws, and called on Mr.
Yanukovych to sign the new law abolishing them.
“However, we are appalled by the deaths reported in recent days in Kiev, which should be promptly, thoroughly and
independently investigated,” he stated. “We are also calling for an investigation into reports of kidnappings and
torture.
“We reiterate our call to the Government and protesters to exercise restraint and create conditions for dialogue and
reconciliation,” the spokesperson said.
He added that international human rights norms and Ukraine’s compliance with these standards and its obligations
pertaining to human rights must be at the centre of any future solutions and reconciliation processes.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS