Dictatorship Laws

From Wikipedia:

"Anti-protest laws in Ukraine"

On January 16, 2014, known popularly as Black Thursday, the Parliament of Ukraine ratified—and President Viktor Yanukovych signed into law the following day —a group of ten laws restricting freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. The laws were passed amid massive anti-government protests that started in November. The laws are collectively known as the "dictatorship laws" (Ukrainian: закони про диктатуру) by Euromaidan activists,  non-governmental organizations, and the Ukrainian media.  The opposition parties claimed the legislation was adopted with a number of procedural violations in what they described a coup d'etat. These laws have been described in the media and by experts as "draconian", and have effectively established the nation as a dictatorship. The laws were widely denounced internationally, with US Secretary of State John Kerry describing them as "anti-democratic". The laws were developed by MPs from the ruling Party of Regions Vadym Kolesnychenko and Volodymyr Oliynyk and supported a voting bloc consisting of the Party of Regions, Communist Party and some independent MPs. Western nations have criticised the bills for their undemocratic nature and their ability to significantly curb the rights to protest, free speech and the activity of non-governmental organisations. In accordance with enforcing the new laws, Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko pledged that "each offence will be met by our side harshly."

Provisions:

• Process of removal of parliamentary immunity during criminal proceedings was simplified to majority vote in the Verkhovna Rada. No longer requiring prior review by the relevant Parliamentary committee;
• Amnesty from prosecution previously adopted by the Verkhovna Rada (were inapplicable, expected to grant to peaceful protestors who participated in protests since November 21, 2013) has now been refined to be applicable and extended to also exempt from punishment those who committed crimes against protestors, including Berkut security forces and other law enforcement officials;
• Allowing trial in absentia of individuals, including prison terms, in cases where the person refuses to appear in court and when criminal proceedings in absence of such person are pronounced possible;
• Blocking access to residential buildings, up to six years in jail;
• Motorcade of more than 5 cars driving together if will cause traffic disruption, face loss of drivers license and vehicle for up to two years (unless obtained permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs);
• Gathering and disseminating information about Berkut, judges or their families, up to 2 years in jail;
• Libel including via press or social media, up to one year in jail
• Law enforcement officials involved in similar activities and their families face a maximum prison term of six months;
• Blocking government buildings, up to five years in jail;
• Up to 15 days arrest for unauthorised installation of tents, stages and sound equipment;
• Anti-mask law with provision up to 15 days arrest for participation in peaceful gatherings wearing a mask, helmet or other means of concealing one’s face;
• NGOs that accept foreign funds must register as "foreign agents" and face high scrutiny, additional tax measures;
• Government may take the decision to apply Internet censorship;
• A broad definition of "extremist activities" adopted disallows NGOs and churches from engaging in support of civil protests.

Reactions:

Domestic:

The Ukrainian opposition warned the new measures would further inflame the protest movement, and called for a big gathering in the capital Kiev on Sunday.
Former Prime-Minister of Ukraine, jailed oppositional politician Yulia Tymoshenko on the ground of adopting this disputed laws said the following: "I ask the opposition and v=civil society to act quickly and decisively because we won't be defending the law, which Yanukovyich humiliated on January 16, but Ukrainian parliamentary system which is the final barricade before the total establishment of dictatorship. I ask the opposition to act immediately. "

International:

 


• European Union — In a tweet on Thursday following the events in parliament, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said he was "profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms". He said the move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations" and its commitments in the European Union - Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November, amid Russian economic pressure.
• United States — Secretary of State John Kerry said "the legislation that was rammed through the Rada (parliament) without transparency and accountability violates all the norms of the OSCE and the EU." He further described the laws as "anti-democratic".

^ It seems the current Ukrainian Government is scared that they have lost control and are trying desperately to keep it even if it means bringing the country back to the dark days of the Soviet Union. Desperate people resort to desperate measures. Hopefully, they will come to their senses before more people are killed an wounded. ^

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictatorship_laws_in_Ukraine