New laws "rammed through" the Ukraine parliament to curb protests are "anti-democratic," US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday, adding that the legislation also violated EU norms.
"We believe deeply that the people of Ukraine want to affiliate, they want to be associated with Europe," Kerry said, noting the new laws "are anti-democratic, they're wrong, they are taking from the people of Ukraine, their choice and their opportunity for the future."
The opposition has staged nearly two months of protests in a central Kiev square after President Viktor Yanukovych ditched a key pact with the European Union in favor of a strategic partnership with powerful neighbor and past master Russia.
The new legislation allows the authorities to jail those who blockade public buildings for up to five years. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets.
The provisions are clearly aimed at the protesters in Kiev, who are occupying the City Hall building and manning a tent city with massive barricades on the central Independence Square and its surrounding streets.
"This kind of anti-democratic maneuver is extremely disturbing and should be of concern to every nation that wants to see the people of Ukraine be able to, not only express their wish, but see it executed," Kerry added.
He was speaking after talks with Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos. Greece has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Kerry said the new Ukrainian legislation also "violates all the norms of the OSCE and the EU."
New laws “rammed through” the Ukraine parliament to curb protests are “anti-democratic,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday, adding that the legislation also violated EU norms.
“We believe deeply that the people of Ukraine want to affiliate, they want to be associated with Europe,” Kerry said, noting the new laws “are anti-democratic, they’re wrong, they are taking from the people of Ukraine, their choice and their opportunity for the future.”
The opposition has staged nearly two months of protests in a central Kiev square after President Viktor Yanukovych ditched a key pact with the European Union in favor of a strategic partnership with powerful neighbor and past master Russia.
The new legislation allows the authorities to jail those who blockade public buildings for up to five years. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets.
The provisions are clearly aimed at the protesters in Kiev, who are occupying the City Hall building and manning a tent city with massive barricades on the central Independence Square and its surrounding streets.
“This kind of anti-democratic maneuver is extremely disturbing and should be of concern to every nation that wants to see the people of Ukraine be able to, not only express their wish, but see it executed,” Kerry added.
He was speaking after talks with Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos. Greece has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Kerry said the new Ukrainian legislation also “violates all the norms of the OSCE and the EU.”
