Statement in response to the extraordinary suggestion made by the Head of the Party of the Regions faction in parliament, O. Yefremov that a scenario similar to that in Northern Africa is being set in motion in Ukraine on money from IRF’s founder, George Soros

The Ministry of Education headed by Dmytro Tabachnyk has in a year undertaken an assault on the autonomy of universities and stopped movement towards the Bologna system. This is the view expressed in an interview given to Radio Svoboda by Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Father Boris Gudziak

Ukraine’s Security Service would now seem to be interested in finding out about the civic organization “Democratic Alliance” , specifically it’s work supported by international grants.

The International Renaissance Foundation (IRF) must draw the Ministry’s attention to the fact that IRF activities are not coordinated (and cannot possibly be coordinated) by any of the above-listed diplomatic missions

Participants called on newly elected President Yanukovych to come to the Civic Forum on 5 March and to tell Ukrainians WHAT he will do, WHEN and HOW on combating corruption; human rights; reforming the health service and lots more judicial reform;

Shortcomings in legislation, as well as the lack of political will. are a barrier to the development of civic society in Ukraine.

"The main method is not to provide information from the traditional standpoint “You have to and that’s it”. We focus on the need for students to make their own choice"

A public campaign has been launched in the Volyn region in support of rural libraries with organizations, businesses, local authorities and members of the public asked to donate books they don’t need

In an interview given to UNIAN the Head of the Board of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union Yevhen Zakharov speaks of the dividing line between politicians and human rights defenders, the work of the Ombudsperson and the relation between material wellbeing and freedom of speech.

According to the research centre “Socioinform”*, one in five Lviv residents would have voted at the local council elections for a civic organization.

The UNIAN press agency’s new project should provide exciting possibilities for broadening awareness of the work of human rights organizations and generally of human rights issues

Yevhen Zakharov sees one of the main achievements of the Civic Assembly in its having drawn civic organizations together and enabled them to feel part of an ever more potent civic community

At the All-Ukrainian Civic Assembly over 350 civic organizations are planning to call for changes to the Constitution which would prevent politicians misusing the Main Law of the country. Other resolutions will reflect the urgent need for those in power to understand that laws are to be observed, not manipulated or ignored

“Dialogue between civic organizations and state executive authorities has been virtually stifled, and the media do not devote attention to this issue. We need on principle to ask sternly: “You promised, so what has been done?” I’m afraid that many leaders of the elected authorities would have no answer. However the question must be put”.

The project’s aim in the coming year is to help youth organizations develop networking capacity and cooperation with other sectors in society, including the local authorities

With lack of knowledge of even one foreign language often hindering fruitful cooperation with other organizations, the organizers hope that through this project, local civic organizations which are the main contributors to the development of civic society in Ukraine will find new prospects and horizons opening before them.

Ukrainian civic society is increasingly understanding that the initiative for change must come from them, this time in combating corruption and bribe-taking

The Mayor hopes that the Council, which has been formed at the initiative of different civic organizations, can focus deputies’ attention on burning issues rather than on political battles

There is no more immediate task in Ukraine than that on which we are working – the creation of a powerful machine for independent civic assessment of the work of the authorities, for appealing against decisions which run counter to the law, human rights and public interest, for the lobbying of these interests.

“With this whole initiative we are only standing up for the chance to choose to watch films in good quality Ukrainian translation”.