As delivered by Ambassador Ian Kelly
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 19, 2012
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We note the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) dated July 3, which concluded that the arrest and detention of former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko were arbitrary and violated his human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The politically-motivated prosecutions of Mr. Lutsenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and other former government officials raise serious concerns about the Government of Ukraine’s commitment to democracy and rule of law.
We urge the Government of Ukraine to abide by its OSCE commitments and free Mr. Lutsenko, Mrs. Tymoshenko, and other former government officials currently in detention on questionable grounds. Their ability to participate in the conduct of public affairs should not be restricted. This is especially critical as we look ahead to Ukraine’s Parliamentary elections and Ukraine’s chairmanship of the OSCE in 2013.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
