[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 357--EXPRESSING CONCERN OF UNDEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 
         AND THE ABUSE OF THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS IN UKRAINE

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. Risch) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 357

       Whereas the political crisis that has engulfed Ukraine 
     reflects the people's desire for a democratic state which 
     rejects corruption and abides by the rule of law;
       Whereas Ukraine is a participating State of the 
     Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) 
     and has made commitments to respect the human rights of its 
     citizens;
       Whereas, in 2009, Ukraine joined the European Union's 
     Eastern Partnership initiative, pledging to uphold the shared 
     values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human 
     rights;
       Whereas the Government of Ukraine committed to judicial and 
     electoral reforms to align with those of the European Union 
     in preparation for the signing of an Association Agreement 
     with the European Union;
       Whereas, on Thursday, November 21, 2013, Ukraine President 
     Viktor Yanukovych announced that Ukraine would not sign an 
     Association Agreement with the European Union, causing 
     thousands of Ukrainians to assemble in Kiev's Maidan Square 
     in peaceful protest;
       Whereas, on November 30 and December 11, 2013, Ukrainian 
     paramilitary police used excessive force against peaceful 
     demonstrators in Kiev's Maidan Square;
       Whereas, on January 16, 2014, the parliament of Ukraine 
     passed anti-protest legislation restricting the right to 
     peaceful assembly and the exercise of free speech, 
     constraining independent media, and inhibiting the operation 
     of nongovernmental organizations;
       Whereas it is unclear whether these measures were passed 
     legally, or have subsequently been entirely repealed;
       Whereas, on January 20, 2014, Freedom House stated it is 
     ``deeply concerned by Ukrainian authorities' targeted 
     violence against journalists during public protests in Kiev - 
     demonstrations spurred by President Viktor Yanukovych's 
     signing into law measures that tightly limit public protests, 
     among other rollbacks on freedom'';
       Whereas, on January 22, 2014, the actions of authorities in 
     Ukraine resulted in the death of two protestors, including 
     one who was ``brutally beaten by two riot police officers,'' 
     according to Amnesty International;
       Whereas, on January 30, 2014, Freedom House stated that 
     ``at least five Euromaidan activists are still reported 
     missing, some since November 30, 2013 when anti-government 
     demonstrations intensified'';
       Whereas there are substantiated reports of kidnappings, 
     including the abduction and torture of opposition activist 
     Dmitrii Bulatov, and evidence of police brutality carried out 
     against protesters and other activists, and the Ukrainian 
     nongovernmental organization EuroMaidan SOS claims that as 
     many as 27 people may be missing;
       Whereas, on January 31, 2014, Human Rights Watch found that 
     ``Ukrainian police assaulted and injured dozens of 
     journalists and medical workers while trying to disperse 
     street fighters and protesters in Kiev'' and called upon the 
     international community to ``press Ukraine to investigate 
     serious human rights violations and prosecute those 
     responsible in accordance with international due process 
     standards'';
       Whereas, on January 31, 2014, Freedom House reported that 
     ``more than 40 journalists have been injured covering the 
     demonstrations'' and that ``[m]any of the reporters were 
     attacked while wearing visible identification of their status 
     as journalists'';
       Whereas the Government of Ukraine has continued to 
     intimidate and use violence against journalists and others 
     expressing political opinions critical of the current 
     government; and
       Whereas, on January 7, 2014, the United States Senate 
     passed a resolution expressing support for the people of 
     Ukraine in light of public resistance to President 
     Yanukovych's decision not to sign an Association Agreement 
     with the European Union: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the President should increase democracy and human 
     rights programming in Ukraine to the extent possible;
       (2) the United States Government should immediately review 
     security assistance funding for any organization in Ukraine 
     involved in repressive efforts that violate the civil or 
     human rights of the people of Ukraine;
       (3) the United States Mission to the Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should utilize the 
     resources and mechanisms of the OSCE to monitor and address 
     human rights concerns, including the Office for Democratic 
     Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Representative on 
     Freedom of Media (RFM);
       (4) the United States Representative to the United Nations 
     Human Rights Council should address Ukraine appropriately to 
     bodies such as the United Nations Human Rights Council;
       (5) the Department of State should immediately consider the 
     imposition of targeted sanctions, including visa bans and 
     asset freezes, against the perpetrators of state-sanctioned 
     violence in Ukraine against peaceful protesters, journalists, 
     and other members of civil society;
       (6) the United States Government should urge authorities in 
     Ukraine to locate missing persons and release all political 
     prisoners, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, 
     and hold perpetrators of extra-legal measures accountable;
       (7) the United States Government should work closely with 
     the European Union to strengthen and support its efforts in 
     Ukraine; and
       (8) the United States Government endorses the statement of 
     the European Union's Council on Foreign Affairs of February 
     10, 2014, which stated, ``A new and inclusive government, 
     constitutional reform bringing back more balance of powers, 
     and preparations for free and fair presidential elections 
     would contribute to bringing Ukraine back on a sustainable 
     path of reforms.''

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