Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

I had posted Sunday how Pope Francis had given special prayers for the people in Ukraine.

Two children released doves, representing peace - but then what happened next has some wondering how symbolic what followed could mean...



and no one knows the ultimate fate of the doves from the crow and seagull...

[Natalka]

January 27, 2014

MPs hold emergency debate on situation in Ukraine - I've listened to some of it this evening on CPAC.

All parties agreed to an emergency debate Monday after passing a motion condemning the actions of the Ukrainian government and calling recent anti-protest legislation "draconian."

The motion:

"That this House: Condemns the draconian law that was adopted in Ukraine on Jan. 17, 2014, that severely limits the right of Ukrainians to peacefully organize, assemble or protest;


Recognizes that such a law undermines freedom and democracy in Ukraine;


Condemns the Ukrainian government’s use of violence and threats of legal action against the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for helping peaceful protesters;


Expresses condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives at the hands of the Ukrainian security forces on Jan. 21, 2014;


Calls upon the Ukrainian government to bring those responsible for these acts of violence and repression to justice;


Continues to call for Ukrainian security forces and government to refrain from the use of violence and respect the people of Ukraine’s right of peaceful protest;


Urges the Government of Canada, in collaboration with like-minded nations, to consider all options, including sanctions, to ensure that the democratic space in Ukraine is protected;


And that this House stands united with the Ukrainian people, who believe in freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mps-...mons-1.2512798

[Natalka]

From Question Period in the House of Commons Monday


In question period Monday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged to work with Ukrainian Canadians and Canada's allies to "encourage the government of Ukraine to move in a positive direction."

"This government has been very outspoken with many around the international community in condemning some of the actions of the Ukrainian government," Harper said, in response to a question from NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

"We are very concerned that these actions speak of not moving towards a free and democratic Euro-Atlantic future, but an anti-democratic Soviet past.

"The government is signalling its strong desire to play a positive role and we encourage them in that regard," he said.


------


The government's religious freedom ambassador, Andrew Bennett, was dispatched to Ukraine and yesterday reported his concern for members of the minority Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Bennett also condemned the actions of the Ukrainian government.

“The new laws passed by President Viktor Yanukovych give the Ukrainian government, police and security services harsh new powers that severely limit individual rights and freedoms,” said Bennett. “This is fundamentally inconsistent with democratic practice and of grave concern to all who are committed to a free and democratic Ukraine."


http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mps-...mons-1.2512798

[Natalka]

Just FYI

Ukrainian-Canadians by the numbers:

1,251,170: Number of Canadians with Ukrainian heritage (mixed or single origin)


975,110: Number of Canadians with mixed Ukrainian heritage


276,055: Number with sole Ukrainian heritage


67,335: Canadians born in Ukraine


108,590: Canadians who speak Ukrainian as their mother tongue


Source: Statistics Canada National Household Survey 2011

[Anna Michele]

Just heard the prime minister mykola Azerov has resigned ill try to post the link

Sent from my GT-S7560M using Tapatalk

[Natalka]

Good that he's done that -

In his resignation statement, Prime Minister Azarov said: "To create additional opportunities for social and political compromise and for a peaceful solution to the conflict, I made a personal decision to ask the president of Ukraine to accept my resignation as prime minister of Ukraine."

And, better news -

The Ukrainian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to annul controversial anti-protest legislation.


Parliament - holding an emergency debate on the crisis - voted by 361 to 2 to repeal the protest law.


Parliament adjourned after the vote on the protest law and is due to discuss the issue of granting an amnesty to convicted protesters on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Yanukovych offered an amnesty only if protesters cleared barricades and stopped attacking government buildings.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25923199

[Natalka]

Oh, brave.... Mothers march





Pro-government protesters from all over Ukraine have been gathering at Mariinskiy Park, not far from Maidan.

[Anna Michele]

That is great news. Thanks Natalka for keeping us updated. This is very close to home and I am so happy to hear some positive actions are being taken.

Sent from my GT-S7560M using Tapatalk

[Natalka]

[Natalka]

Where I watch streaming - top screen is overview of the square, below is around the stage.

Once in a while it cuts out, then I just reload.
I turn the sound off, there's just background noise and clanging usually.

http://ukrstream.tv/


(Russia has blocked some of the live feeds for its citizens.)

[Natalka]

PM's resignation accepted

The President has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister of Ukraine AZAROV Mykola Yanovych.
Under article 115 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the resignation of the Prime Minister of Ukraine results in the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Thus, the President has accepted the resignation of the Government as well.

http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30022.html

[Natalka]

5 p.m. their time, Maidan

[Natalka]

Today protesters marched to a local monument marking a 1918 battle between Nationalists and bolsheviks.

[Natalka]

Overview

[Anna Michele]

Overview

Unreal.