BRAMA, Oct 14, 2004, 1:00 pm ET
Press release
Civic group 'blacklists' officials accused of repression against Ukrainian citizens
10/14/2004 - PORA representatives held a press conference at UNIAN news agency headquarters in Kiev detailing plan to 'blacklist' officials for repressive measures taken against opposition activists
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Kiev, Ukraine Today, on October 14, 2004 the civic campaign PORA announced the creation of a "Black List", which will include any bureaucrats and state officials that undertake repressive measures against activists of the civic campaign PORA and members of other civic organizations. Also included in the list will be the names of those who have violated constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens. The press conference was hosted by the UNIAN news agency.
The initiative was prompted by the numerous cases of repression against PORA activists. PORA is a civic group involved with informational and educational activities for the democratization of Presidential elections 2004. Since the start of the electoral campaign there have been more than 350 arrests and detentions. In addition, 15 students have been expelled from their universities and dorms, and 27 cases of physical assault on the PORA representatives have been recorded.
The creation of the "black list" was also influenced by the extraordinary events of last week, when PORA members Olexandr Kormiletsky was violently beaten and Konstyantyn Polyakov was expelled from Kirovograd State Pedagogical University.
Representative of Campaign PORA Eugene Zolotarov stated: "Persons included in the "Black list" under democratic circumstances will not be allowed to occupy official positions, and campaign PORA promises to bring up an action against them immediately after elections of the President of Ukraine. During the electoral campaign the nominees of the list will receive public condemnation and we promise to inform public about their actions".
At the moment the "black list" includes:
- Radul Valeriy, the rector of the Kirovograd State Pedagogical University, because of violationof Constitution and Laws of Ukraine and violations of civic rights and freedoms, namely- regular repressions of activists of PORA campaign, illegal expelling of active students and direct agitation for one of the candidate for presidency.
- Rizak Ivan, Head of Zakarpatska (Transcarpathian) State Administration, because of violation of constitution and laws of Ukraine, civic rights and freedoms of citizens, namely - mass, violent and regular oppressions of local entrepreneurs, intimidation of workers of state enterprises application of administrative pressure and direct organization of falsifications of elections of Muckachevo major in April 2004.
- Kireev Valerij, deputy head of Leninsky Rayon Department of Internal Affairs in Kharkiv, for violations of Constitution and Laws of Ukraine and for rough infringements of human rights anf freedoms, in particular, abuse of powers; violent and illegitimate actions towards activists of Pora Campaign; intimidation of citizens, who carry out public activities or support opposition political forces, by threats of bodily assaults.
The "Black list" is publicly available and will be regularly updated on the official web-site of the "Pora" Campaign www.pora.org.ua. On the web-site one can participate in the online poll about the misdeeds of all the persons named in the "Black list", and to discuss their actions on the electronic forum.
Requests for additions to the "Black list" can be by written request from any Ukrainian citizen based on special misdeeds and within the framework of clear procedures and specific criteria. All requests are subject to review and judgment of the Council of the Pora campaign. Persons added to the list will receive an official postal notice about his/her inclusion in the "Black List". Names can be removed from the "Black List" on the basis of the named person's personal application and under the conditions of public redemption as denoted in the criteria.
Map detailing locations of alledged repression against civic activists
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Pora Campaign is a civic public movement that cooperates with all organizations that want the honest elections, independence of Ukraine, democratic rights and freedoms of citizens and doesn't support any form of political violence.
Detailed information can be obtained by calling phone number 8 (044) 4619022 or by e-mail info@pora.org.ua.
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