The rule of law is not just on paper!

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly violated both domestic law and the country’s international commitments with regard to refugees and asylum seekers

On 28 July 2008, the Prosecutor General Oleksandr Medvedko issued instructions to extradite a recognized refugee Oleg Kuznetsov to Russia. In so doing, he ignored a court ruling, as well as the most fundamental principles of international law

In February 2008, 11 ethnic Tamils, all holding UNHCR documents and 6 of whom had already applied for refugee status in Ukraine, were sent back to Sri Lanka.  This was a serious violation of the principle of non-refoulement, and flagrantly ignored a recommendation from the European Court of Human Rights to not send Tamils back to Sri Lanka where they may be in danger

In February 2006, 11 Uzbek asylum seekers were handed over to the regime of Islam Karimov which is notorious for its systematic use of torture and persecution on political or religious grounds

These are only the most flagrant examples, there have been others.  These must stop.

Fine words about commitment to the rule of law and human rights must be matched by deeds!  Each time the Ukrainian authorities violate the rights of asylum seekers and refugees and we allow them to get away with it, we put other present and future asylum seekers at risk

THE IMPUNITY MUST END!

We demand the dismissal of Oleksandr Medvedko, Prosecutor General of Ukraine whose action in sending back a recognized refugee is totally incompatible with his position.

We must send an unequivocal message to all members of the authorities, especially the Prosecutor’s Office, the Security Service [SBU] and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that those who violate domestic and international legislation and shame the country will bear personal responsibility for their actions.

Please help to get this through to the authorities.  Join our picket of the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Conference on Migration

Thursday 4 September -  9 a.m.

Outside the International Exhibition Centre, Brovarsky Prospekt, 15, Kyiv (opposite the metro station “Livoberezhnaya”

If you can’t make the picket, please add your voice to ours in virtual mode!  Model letters to the President and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada can be found (and sent!) here: http://khpg.org.ua/en/index.php?id=1217966536