Having observed the coverage of escalating violence in Ukraine and received correspondence from the Ukrainian Bar Association, the Human Rights Committee at the Law Society of England and Wales is concerned that the rule of law has broken down in Ukraine.
Today, the president of the Ukraine signed to repeal the Orwellian laws that led to this situation.
The right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential in any democracy, to allow civil society to hold government to account. These basic rights have been flounced in Ukraine, with scores of citizens charged without court orders. A trial is being held for a defence lawyer who was retained by one of the protestors.
The Law Society urges the Ukrainian government to take steps to restore the rule of law as quickly as possible and ensure that alleged human rights breaches are investigated.