The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today expressed their serious concern about the trial of Yulia Timoshenko and the verdict, sentencing her to a 7 year prison term and three year ban on holding office, as well as the ongoing trials of other Ukrainian public figures.

The Committee asked Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to bring its concerns to the attention of the Ukrainian authorities, and asked him also to pursue his dialogue with the authorities on ways of developing an independent judiciary and implementing a legislative framework in line with Council of Europe standards.

A recently adopted Action Plan for Ukraine, including the provision of Council of Europe expertise, could provide the framework for intensifying efforts to strengthen the functioning of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Ukraine. (more...)

Decision of the Committee of Ministers regarding Ukraine
Action Plan for Ukraine
Ukraine and the Council of Europe