OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Director Janez Lenarcic has called the demand of the Ukrainian authorities that the administrative buildings seized by demonstrators in Kyiv be vacated lawful.
He said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday during a meeting of the
OSCE Ministerial Council that the demand was fully consistent with the
acceptable restrictions on the freedom of assembly.
Lenarcic said that the buildings served a purpose and were not meant
specifically for exercising the freedom of assembly. There is enough
space in Kyiv, including Independence Square, for exercising the freedom
of assembly, he noted.
Therefore, the demand of the authorities to vacate the buildings
which have a different function is absolutely legitimate, the OSCE/ODIHR
director said.
