Subject: Supporting Ukrainian journalists against oppression of free speech
Rep.: HON. BOB SCHAFFER
State: COLORADO
Date: October 17, 2002
Speaker: MR. SCHAFFER

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of restoring free speech in Ukraine. Democratic societies should cherish freedom of speech, not fear it. Current efforts in Ukraine to suppress this fundamental human right undermine every other human liberty for the Ukrainian people, and thus, must not continue. I call upon our friends in the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, and other Ukrainian leaders to defend the human rights of Ukrainian citizens, and to ensure Ukrainian journalists are permitted to report news truthfully and accurately, free from fear of harassment, molestation, imprisonment and physical harm.

The chairman of the Rada's Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information, Mykola Tomenko, last month, said guidelines on covering politics were routinely being sent to media chiefs. He told a press conference he had received such a document from a TV channel head who indicated he receives such a document every week from the president's administration.

Blatant incidents of media censorship in Ukraine are increasing indicating an orchestrated campaign to control information and news of public interest. These events cast grave doubts upon the sustainability of Ukraine's development as a democratic society, and upon the government's commitment to the constitutional rights of its citizens. Increased oppression on Ukrainian media has precipitated the formation of a journalist's union, organized to fight political censorship. I commend these journalists for their courageous defense of democracy and human freedom.

On September 24, 2002, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe held a roundtable discussion focusing on Ukraine's current media regulations and whether they adhere to Western standards. Ukrainian parliamentarians, government officials, media professionals, international experts and diplomats took part in discussions. The OSCE representative on freedom of the media pointed out that Ukraine's law on the procedure of coverage by mass media on state authorities and local self-government "raises very serious doubts about [Ukraine's] compliance with international human rights standards on freedom of expression."

On October 3rd, 2002, journalists participating in the roundtable signed the "Manifesto of Ukraine Journalists on Political Censorship." The proclamation reads as follows:

MANIFESTO OF UKRAINE JOURNALISTS ON POLITICAL CENSORSHIP We, the journalists of Ukraine, fully realizing the unique role of a truthful word for development and consolidation of our Motherland, realizing our personal responsibility as journalists for giving unbiased information, understanding that fear will impede some of our colleagues to sign the Manifesto, proclaim: Political censorship does exist in Ukraine and it is realized through orders or upon consent of the Power in regard to television and radio programs, articles in newspapers through illegal pressure of all kind on journalists and individual mass media that try to highlight social and political life in the country. Political censorship humiliates journalists and people of Ukraine. Political censorship is illegal: while exerting political censorship the Power attempts to restrict constitutional right of citizens for freedom of speech, which is stipulated in the Constitution of Ukraine, laws of Ukraine, international legal documents ratified by Ukraine and hence binding on its territory. It is worth stressing that the right for freedom of speech is an integral right of Ukraine citizens. Thus, it is a harsh violation of one of the most important fundamental principles of the Constitution of Ukraine. The fact that with the flagrant examples of political censorship in Ukraine no one has been brought to trial we retain as scoffing the Law and the rights of Ukraine citizens. We, the journalists of Ukraine, identify ourselves with resistance of our colleagues and greet the tendency when along with intensification of political censorship in Ukraine journalists shift from protests of individuals to mass joint actions. We, the journalists of Ukraine, proclaim our readiness to an all-Ukraine strike for whose preparation and for preparation of other joint actions of journalists in support of their colleagues the initiative group is being established. We, the journalists of Ukraine, will look for every means to support our colleagues dismissed from their jobs or persecuted because of their adherence to objective journalism.

October 3, 2002

Mr. Speaker, on February 22, 2001 I participated, as part of a Congressional Delegation, in a roundtable discussion in Kyiv, Ukraine with several Ukrainian journalists. The consensus was a sad commentary on the state of censorship in Ukraine even then. The reporters were in agreement: There is no free press in Ukraine. I have since had the chance to meet with several more Ukrainian journalists throughout Ukraine and can tell the House that each report I received described differing levels of intimidation, censorship, and control by Ukraine's central authorities. I have documented some of these interviews on my official web site: www.house.gov/schaffer .

Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues in the House of Representatives to support foreign assistance programs and non-government organizations that promote independent mass media in developing countries such as Ukraine. Additionally, I urge the administration of Ukraine to complete investigation of the murders of Heorhiy Gongadze and other journalists, and to offer protection from physical violence and legislative mechanisms to defend them. I furthermore urge Ukrainian investigators to fully utilize the expertise of our Federal Bureau of Investigation as promised by President Leonid Kuchma during a meeting with the Congressional Delegation on February 22, 2001.

Finally, I encourage Ukrainian journalists to persist in their relentless pursuit of the truth. Their professionalism, courage, and if necessary, their personal sacrifice, are the essential elements in securing authentic liberty for their countrymen and delivering Ukraine to a righteous state of serene democracy.

Subject: Honoring the Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine on World Rural Women's Day.
Rep.: HON. BOB SCHAFFER
State: COLORADO
Date: September 15, 2002
Speaker: MR. SCHAFFER

Mr. Speaker, today, October 15th, is World Rural Women's Day. I rise before the House on this occasion to honor the Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine and its contribution to Ukraine's agricultural and democratic development. During one of my visits to Ukraine, I was fortunate to visit leaders of this extraordinary organization to learn firsthand their remarkable unity and drive for success within Ukraine's expanding free market.

This organization began as a small group of women farmers in Ukraine who were willing to take on a male-dominated culture and industry. The challenges of an unstable economy, and, an agricultural sector in complete disarray only inspired and energized these enterprising farmers. Although this council developed with international aid, its origin represents a spontaneous indigenous grassroots quest for democracy.

As the council provided every level of assistance necessary for women farmers to succeed, it grew into a nationwide assistance network improving the status of rural Ukrainian women, raising their quality of life, and cultivating their managerial and entrepreneurial skills. Responding to the rapid growth of women in the industry, the council has opened several branch offices throughout the country, serving as information centers in 14 of the 24 oblasts throughout Ukraine and the autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine.

The Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine provides assistance on a variety of issues, including legislation, financial management of farms, accounting, marketing, human resources management, business planning and business ethics, as well as scientific and specialized training. The council has also built an information and telecommunications network between its branch office information centers, training its members in the use of computers, email and the Internet. This assistance and training has enabled Ukraine's women farmers to build private enterprises, thereby empowering rural women to effectively influence the governmental processes.

In recognition of the Council's tremendous success thus far, I urge my colleagues to support similar programs with the intention of empowering rural women throughout the world, and in doing so, promote education, democratic development and financial and social stability.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine on its success, I commend it for its courage and perseverance on this important commemorative day. Furthermore, I urge our friends in the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada to recognize October 15th as Women Farmers of Ukraine day.