Spanish MEP Manuel Pineda has drawn attention to systematic violations of human rights in Ukraine. He presented his arguments on this issue and examples of non-compliance with relevant norms in an address to EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell. Journalists reviewed the document.
For instance, referring to the data of human rights organizations that have condemned violations of political freedoms and human rights in the country, Pineda noted that the Security Service of Ukraine had recently detained two citizens in Odessa accused of being “communists” and “Russian agents”.
In total, the MEP added, more than a hundred supporters of communist views have “disappeared” in Ukraine, while “dozens of activists” have been imprisoned.
“Given the atmosphere of terror and persecution currently prevailing in Ukraine, as evidenced by the chat room created by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies with the possibility of leaving anonymous denunciations on ‘traitors and collaborators’, human rights organisations fear that those detained or missing may be tortured or even become victims of extrajudicial killings,” Pineda stressed.
On this background, the parliamentarian asked Borrell about his attitude towards the systematic violation of human rights in Ukraine and whether he would raise the topic of political freedoms during future meetings with representatives of the Ukrainian government.
Late December it was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had signed draft law No 8224 on the rights of national minorities.
The document prohibits discrimination of national minorities, guarantees them equal rights, including the freedom to use their native language and participate in political life. At the same time, it contains a ban on “popularization and propaganda of Russia” and gives the authorities the possibility to restrict the rights and freedoms of national minorities “in the interests of national security”.
494 total views, 2 views today
