You're reading: EU calls on Ukrainian authorities to ensure full transparency of trials against protestors

European Union representatives are observing the legal proceedings launched against the Ukrainians arrested in connection with the protests, the EU Delegation to Ukraine said.

European Union representatives are observing the legal proceedings
launched against the Ukrainians arrested in connection with the
protests, the EU Delegation to Ukraine said.

“In present circumstances, we have noticed that some Kyiv courts are
working at full capacity, with hearings ongoing till late night hours.
It is however important that judicial decisions are adopted on a
case-by-case basis in a reasoned, motivated and transparent way, in line
with the European Convention on Human Rights and other international
obligations of Ukraine,” reads the statement.

Many of the arrested demonstrators had signs of having suffered
severe beating, and gave detailed accounts of torture and inhuman and
degrading treatment, the diplomatic mission said.

“As the Ukrainian Code of Criminal Procedure configures pre-trial
detention as an exceptional and subsidiary measure, it is a legitimate
social expectation that judicial decisions sufficiently explain and
prove the necessity of pre-trial detention versus other alternatives,
such as house arrest or release on bail,” reads the statement.

In a system based on the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights
cannot depend on political talks, the EU diplomatic mission said.

It is regretful that no media coverage and no video or audio recordings of the proceedings were allowed, the embassy said.

The delegation encouraged the Ukrainian authorities “to take measures to ensure full transparency in the future.”

“Ukrainian judges have an important responsibility to contribute,
through fair trial and independent decision-making, to the resolution of
the current crisis,” reads the statement.