subject: Democracy Watch - Open Letter [print this page] Democracy Watch - Open Letter Democracy Watch - Open Letter
An open letter from Ukrainian civil society to European Institutions and the international media
For millions of Ukrainians, European integration represents an historic opportunity to rejoin a civilization space from which they have been forcibly separated. Ukraine's transformation into a modern, independent, European democracy is the only realistic path for realizing the aspirations of the country and its people. A considerable majority of Ukraine's people understand and support this path. It was this hope for the future that brought millions on to the streets in the democratic revolution of 2004.
Many thousands of Ukrainians are joined together through civic organizations to actively promote the core of Europeanization: democracy, freedom of speech, and rule of law ensuring effective governance. By our efforts, we have built space for civil society, for free thought and free speech. Unfortunately, our governments have been unreliable partners, doing little to reform themselves and serve citizens, despite their pro forma declarations of support for Europeanization and democratic values. The European Union, like Ukrainian society, has also faced the challenge of dealing with Ukrainian governments that are unreliable and often insincere partners.
Sadly, under the "stability" banner of the current political leadership, government is moving from being civil society's unreliable partner to being its oppressor. The biggest achievements of recent years, freedom of speech and assembly, have been limited. The Security Service harasses civil society organizations, academics and media, whilst its director Ukraine's biggest media magnate holds lavish dinners in Brussels for European politicians. Credible international and domestic observers have declared that the local election on 31 October failed to meet democratic standards. The hasty judicial reform law subverted the judiciary to the control of the President and his close allies. The proposed new tax code will place an onerous burden on small and medium sized entrepreneurs, pushing them further into the shadow economy.
On the eve of the EU-Ukraine Summit, we, representatives of Ukrainian civil society organizations, ask that the EU put democracy on the top of the agenda of its relations with Ukraine. It has to make it clear that common values constitute a red line and cannot be compromised. Economic integration with the EU should be conditioned by respect for these values. Many current initiatives, like the negotiation of a visa-free travel, are of clear benefit to the people, and should move ahead without political conditionality. Other efforts, however, could have dramatically reduced or even negative consequences if they are implemented without the respect for these common values. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, negotiated by the EU and Ukraine at the moment, will benefit neither the Ukrainian people nor European investors and partners unless administrative obstacles for economic activity are not removed and the judiciary becomes an impartial arbiter.
The European Union's commitment to Ukraine's democratic and economic development has been a powerful force for good in our country. In partnership with civil society the EU could achieve more. We ask that the EU redouble its efforts to strengthen civil society, and actively work to bring it into the political dialogue with Ukraine, to be recognized as a real partner on the equal footing with the government. In this way, the EU can make a major contribution to the fundamental challenge in Ukraine today: not so much to change our leaders, as to change their mindset and the mindset of Ukrainian people.
Signatories:
All-Ukrainian non-governmental civic organization "Committee of voters of Ukraine
23 network organizations and 2000 members
All-Ukrainian Youth Public Organization "Democratic alliance
