FOR THE RECORD: AHRU notes human rights violations (07/15/01)

FOR THE RECORD

AHRU notes human rights violations

Following is the text of a letter to President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine from Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine regarding rights violations in Ukraine. AHRU wrote about this matter also to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Mr. President:

Recently Ukraine has been prominently reported on in the international news media regarding the pope's five-day visit, the popular CBS "60 Minutes" program regarding the Gongadze case, President George Bush's comments on the strategic importance of Ukraine to both East and West and Ukraine's abolition of the death penalty. Because of more open media reporting there has been a greater focus on Ukraine than in the past.

We wish to bring to your attention an issue which could cause repercussions on Ukraine's image and standing with other countries. This concerns the right to free speech and assembly - a right to protest or have a different opinion in a pluralistic society. The response of Ukraine's government to these issues is under international scrutiny at a time when Ukraine cannot afford any more scandals. The cases in point are:

o arrests and imprisonment of Oleksander Bashuk, leader of a group called Samostiyna Ukraina, together with other students on July 8, 2000, who demonstrated against the communist party; their right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech should be inviolable;

o arrests and imprisonment of Andriy Shkil and 12 other demonstrators on March 9, 2001, at the Shevchenko monument in Kyiv; their rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech should also be respected.

Ukraine has been independent for the past 10 years and is a signatory to the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Accords), thereby committing herself under Principle Vll "to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion, thought, conscience, assembly, press, etc." By using heavy-handed measures against its youth, Ukraine's government runs a risk of being criticized and judged by public opinion.

We are appealing to you and to members of your government to curb these strong-arm tactics by security agents and to release the imprisoned students. Since the whole world is carefully watching the events and developments in Ukraine, it behooves you to be magnanimous and lenient toward young individuals who, albeit with youthful zeal, are nevertheless idealistic and wish for improvements in Ukraine.

We look forward not only to progress and improvement of the economy in Ukraine but to adherence and respect for human rights as well.

Yours in the struggle,
Walter Bodnar, Vice-President
Bozhena Oshaniwsky, President

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