Ukrainian Ambassador summoned to the Ministry

“Norway is concerned about the treatment of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the status of the rule of law in the country,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Norway was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to be informed of Norway’s concern about the situation in Ukraine. The Ambassador was received by State Secretary Torgeir Larsen. The situation of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and other political prisoners was discussed at the meeting.

“The report on Ms Tymoshenko’s treatment is worrying. We have asked the Ukrainian authorities to give an account of the situation. Ukraine must fulfil its international obligations,” said Mr Støre.

Ukraine is due to take over the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2013, and will be hosting the European Football Championship this summer. This means that the country will be playing a key European and international role. Therefore, it is particularly important for Ukraine to demonstrate a strong commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

During his meeting with the Ambassador, State Secretary Larsen also brought up a current bill submitted by a member of the Ukrainian parliament banning “homosexual propaganda”. The bill is in violation of fundamental human rights set out in international human rights conventions that Ukraine is a party to.