The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) has condemned what it says is Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's retreatfrom democracy in Ukraine, as evidenced by the recent prosecution of political opponents, the constant curtailing of freedom of speech and the desecration of Ukraine's cultural heritage.
"The UCCA strongly condemns the Yanukovych regime’s abhorrent and unconstitutional treatment of its citizens and the desecration of its history and national identity, and calls for an immediate halt to human and national rights violations in Ukraine," the committee said in a statement published on its Web site.
"The government of Ukraine must respect the rule of law by adhering to fair, transparent and impartial judicial process, for it to be fully accepted and truly integrated into the community of democratic nations," the statement reads.
According to the statement, since the first year of Yanukovych’s presidency, his administration has consistently targeted members of the opposition and civic activists who uphold the preservation of Ukraine’s national identity.
The UCCA recalled the detention of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as the detention and charges made against former government and opposition officials.
The UCCA also appealed to the government of the United States, which, as a strategic partner of Ukraine, it said should take appropriate measures "to champion the defense of liberty in Ukraine, as well as the rights of those who’s civil liberties are flagrantly being trampled on and violated."
