Participating in an ad-hoc delegation of the Human Rights Committee (DROI), S&D members Richard Howitt and Arne Lietz visited the Ukrainian capital Kiev and Dnipropetrovsk in East Ukraine between 20-24 July. The delegation met with Internally Displaced People (IDP), civil society organisations, and local and central authorities, including President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk.
S&D MEP Richard Howitt, chair of the DROI delegation and S&D spokesperson for foreign affairs, stated:
„The country faces twin challenges from both conflict in the east and the crisis of managing now more than a million displaced people. Interviewing them and the local and international organisations who assist them, it is clear that the generosity which has seen the government and the people provide short-term humanitarian help to those displaced, should now be matched by international support to help enable state authorities to find durable solutions to provide homes and livelihood for those in need. There are very real concerns that the current system in place is leading to IDPs being de-registered and denied access to social benefits, prevented from the right to vote in the October local elections and subject to restrictions of their freedom of movement which see them fall prey to corruption and personal danger. We understand the scale of the challenge is overwhelming to state authorities, and insist the European Union must be their partner in seeking solutions which are right for the country and which respect human rights for all.
„We deliberately went to the oblast region neighbouring the fighting, receiving evidence that many of those remaining in the non-government controlled areas are innocent victims who simply don’t have the means to escape and who have suffered chronic shortages of food, electricity, drinking water and medicines. We underline the need for unhindered access of humanitarian aid to these areas and call for full respect of human rights by the de facto authorities too.
„Our commitment this week has been to refuse to allow the conflict to block joint efforts for necessary progress in democratic development for Ukraine, towards full respect for human rights and European values. We will never forget the wounds of the country’s traumatised society and repeated our clear call for progress in the investigation of the tragic events that took place in Maidan square and Odessa, stressing that both processes are crucial for reconciliation. We encouraged ratification of the statute for the International Criminal Court, the setting up of an independent police complaints and investigation mechanism and asked for continuous scrutiny of all new legislation for conformity with human rights principles and law.“
S&D MEP Arne Lietz, member of the DROI and AFET Committees, added:
„Another major challenge that the country faces is widespread corruption. The government needs to take resolute action to tackle the problem. We welcome the adoption of new legislation and the establishment of related institution, but we stress the urgent need to have tangible results with the development of a track record of investigations and convictions. It is just unacceptable that impoverished IDPs who flee from the conflict areas are obliged to pay bribes at the check-points.“
