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Poland 'concerned' over new anti-protest laws in Ukraine

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 20.01.2014 07:48
Poland's foreign ministry has said tough new anti-protest laws "move Ukraine away from the EU" as violence returned to the streets of Kiev on Sunday.

Protesters
Protesters clash with riot police during their protest in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 19 January 2014. Violence broke out on 19 January after thousands of anti-government protesters attacked riot police with stun grenades, sticks and fire extinguishers while on their way to parliament: photo - EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Police used water canon to try and gain control of a crowd late on Sunday night which had gathered during the day to protest against new legislation passed by parliament on 15 January banning public protest.

The law prohibits any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or use of loud-speakers in public and heavy jail sentences have been imposed for participation in "mass disorder" and the wearing of face-masks or protective helmets.

Dissemination of "extremist" or libellous information about the country's leaders was also outlawed, Reuters reports.

Poland's foreign ministry has said that the change in law "move Kiev away from the European Union and give rise to doubts about the government’s declared willingness to continue working towards European integration. Such actions put a question mark over the real functioning of the rule of law in Ukraine," says the statement by ministry spokesman Marcin Wojciechowski.

The United States' National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said Ukraine's government "has moved to weaken the foundations of Ukraine's democracy by criminalizing peaceful protest and stripping civil society and political opponents of key democratic protections under the law."

Around 100,000 gathered in Independence Square in Kiev on Sunday in a protest that turned violent when some demonstrators pelted police with petrol bombs and stones. Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

30 police were imnjured in the clashes, according to reports.

The EU's ambassador in Ukraine called for calm on both sides.

“We call on people not to aggravate an already very difficult and dangerous situation,” Jan Tombinski, the EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, wrote on the mission’s Facebook page.

“Attacking police may give reason to those who don’t advocate a political solution of the crisis,” he said.

The political crisis in Ukraine was triggered after President Yanukovich failed to sign trade and other deals with the EU at a summit in Vilnius last November.

Yanukovich has said he is willing to meet with opposition leaders to discuss the conflict. (pg)

tags: Ukraine
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