Ukrainians Call on EU to Include Officials Responsible for Violence in Odessa, Ukraine

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Jun 19, 2014, 06:12 ET

BRUSSELS, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ukrainians Abroad', the US and the EU-based NGO that unites Ukrainians living overseas, called on the European Parliament to expand sanctions against several Ukrainian officials who were allegedly responsible for the major violence that took place in Odessa, Ukraine, in May, 2014.

The NGO filed an official request to the European MPs, including Nick Griffin (the UK), Michel Barnier (France), Ciriaco De Mita (Italy) and others, asking the lawmakers to initiate a resolution by the European Council for restrictive measures.

In their letter, 'Ukrainians Abroad' state that the sanctions should include the 'Odessa list', i.e. the officials who were linked to the human rights violations that led to death of dozens of civilians.

The letter sent to the EU Parliament states: "Ukrainians believe that the restrictive sanctions should be expanded, and are asking the European Parliament to include Oleksandr Turchynov, Dmytro Yarosh, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Ihor Kolomoyskyi, Yuri Bereza, Nikolay Volkov, Ivan Katerinchuk, Arsen Avakov, Oleh Tyahnybok, and Andriy Parubiy."

"The actions of the officials who oversaw the mass violence in Odessa should be carefully reviewed. If it is confirmed that the officials are in fact responsible for deaths of civilians, they should at least be added to the sanctions list," said Nikolay Ruban, spokesman for the Ukrainians Abroad.

On March 5, 2014, the European Council passed Resolution No. 208/2014 to impose restrictions against certain people and organizations in connection with the current situation in Ukraine. The EC agreed to focus on restrictive measures to freeze the assets of persons responsible for illegal appropriation of government funds and for human rights violations in Ukraine.

Ukrainians Abroad is a non-profit organization representing and uniting Ukrainians living overseas. The organization focuses on protecting Ukrainians' rights, including their right to vote and participate in Ukrainian politics.

Nikolay Ruban,
http://www.ukraineinus.org/
[email protected]
+16467703867
459 Broadway
New York, NY 10013

SOURCE Ukrainians Abroad