FOR THE RECORD

U.S. Mission's statement to OSCE regarding developments in Ukraine

Below is the statement on Ukraine delivered on behalf of the United States Mission to the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe by Deputy Permanent Representative Douglas Davidson. The statement was made before the Permanent Council in Vienna on November 20.

The United States ambassador to Ukraine has conveyed, on numerous occasions, including at the highest levels, concerns of the United States regarding recent incidents involving obstacles to free assembly, to free speech and in general to a free and fair political campaign in Donetsk, Sumy and elsewhere in Ukraine.

Interference in the exercise of such rights, especially at the behest of government officials - whether local or national - runs contrary to Ukraine's stated commitment to democracy and to international human rights norms and agreements to which Ukraine has subscribed. Events since Donetsk and Sumy, including in Lutsk and Symferopol give cause for further concern.

Looking toward the October 2004 presidential election, it is the hope of the United States that Ukraine will do all it can to ensure a level playing field. This includes:

• ensuring balanced electoral commissions; allowing domestic and international election monitors to operate freely; upholding freedom of the media, association and assembly;
  
  
• ensuring equitable media access to all candidates; ensuring that legislation regulating media, including the Internet, conforms to OSCE standards;
  
  
• ensuring that independent journalists are not threatened, beaten, fired, harassed or killed;
  
  
• conducting full and transparent investigations of any media freedom transgressions (including prior murders of journalists such as Heorhii Gongadze) and holding the perpetrators accountable;
  
  
• ceasing interference with independent media outlets through the use of "temnyky" and harassment via tax audits, license revocations and libel suits.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 7, 2003, No. 49, Vol. LXXI

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