Brussels – The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is concerned about the violent escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, and in this regard, it decided to set up a special subcommittee that will visit the country soon.
PACE said this in a statement following a committee meeting that was held in Paris on Wednesday.
In particular, during the meeting the committee called on all sides in Ukraine “to refrain from any acts of violence and intimidation which will further undermine the stability of the country, including its democratic process.”
“As a member State of the Council of Europe, sharing the values upheld by the organization, Ukraine should fully respect European standards on freedom of assembly, expression and association,” reads the statement.
In addition, the committee expressed concern “at the violent escalation of the crisis in Ukraine by all sides, in particular following yesterday’s intervention by special police forces and recent acts of intimidation by the police against one of the main opposition parties, as well as media outlets.”
“It [the committee] urges all sides to engage in political dialogue aiming at a peaceful resolution to the current crisis, and to pursue democratic reforms,” PACE said.
The committee also welcomed the Council of Europe Secretary General’s initiative to set up an expert advisory panel to oversee the investigation into the violent incidents in Kyiv on November 30 and December 1, 2013.
“It calls on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure immediate access for the Parliamentary Assembly’s monitoring co-rapporteurs to visit the country. At the same time, the Political Affairs Committee decided to set up an ad hoc sub-committee on the situation in Ukraine, which should visit the country as soon as possible,” reads the statement.
