Ukraine failing its test on democracy, U.S. official says

Ukraine failing its test on democracy, U.S. official says
September 15, 2012 - 19:28 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A top U.S. official says Ukraine is failing its test on democracy in the run up to parliamentary elections, citing the jailing of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and shrinking media freedoms, The Associated Press reported.

The jailing of Tymoshenko, the country's top opposition leader and heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, has strained Ukraine's relations with the West. The European Union has frozen a key cooperation deal with Kiev.

Thomas Melia, the U.S. assistant deputy secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said Saturday, Sept 15, the election set for October has been compromised by jailing of Tymoshenko and another top opposition leader. Melia said Ukraine "failed the test today."

Tymoshenko has spent over a year in jail, after being convicted of abuse of office charges she rejects and describes as political.

 Top stories
Azerbaijan claims to have resettled 3000 people in Karabakh capitalAzerbaijan claims to have resettled 3000 people in Karabakh capital
Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert.
Aliyev travels to Turkey at Erdogan's invitationAliyev travels to Turkey at Erdogan's invitation
On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit.
Azerbaijani President travels to MoscowAzerbaijani President travels to Moscow
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Azerbaijan admits death of 192 soldiers in Karabakh offensiveAzerbaijan admits death of 192 soldiers in Karabakh offensive
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
Partner news
 Articles
Compassion is key, no matter what

An Italian photojournalist’s journey through the pandemic

 Most popular in the section
Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll passes 15,000
All Rome Statute signatories must execute arrest warrant for Putin - European Commission
Azerbaijan, Turkey to hold joint drills in Kars
Iran slams expulsion of its diplomats from Azerbaijan
Home
All news
Overview: World
Archive for September 15, 2012
Other news in this section
 Latest news
Viva sees growing demand for cloud services In recent years, medical institutions are starting to make use of Viva’s cloud services
Armenian, German presidents meet in Berlin Armenian and German Presidents Vahagn Khachaturyan and Frank-Walter Steinmeier met in Berlin.
Armenia assumes presidency of Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities The Commission on Television and Radio of Armenia said it expects productive cooperation in various formats.
Balance of attached cards in the Idram&IDBank app From now on, users will be able to view the online balances of cards issued by ArCa system banks and attached to the app.
---