The European Court of Human Rights:has found three violations of Article 5 with respect to the former Prime Minister’s detention. Significantly, as with Yury Lutsenko, it has also ruled that there was violation of Article 18 in conjunction with Article 5. The latter effectively acknowledges motives other than those legitimate for her detention

The President’s site informs that the Pardon Commission has wheeled out the same flawed arguments in order to conclude that it would be “premature” to pardon former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko

Dzerkalo Tyzhnya reports that from 22 April there were 18 appeals from prominent political, civic, cultural figures and sportsmen calling for the release of imprisoned former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

The letter signed by over thirty public figures and political analysts states that “the lack of a decision to free Yulia Tymoshenko demonstrates to the world community the undemocratic nature of the Ukrainian regime and is one of the main impediments to signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

On Thursday the European Parliament ratified visa liberalization measures for Ukrainians and heard the findings of the Cox-Kwaśniewski mission. Hanne Severinsen, however, warns that the mission must not be used as a cover for the Ukrainian regime

The EU-Ukraine visa liberalization moves include 5 year Schengen visas for Prosecutors and their deputies, some of whom have taken a very active role in prosecutions condemned by the EU

The German Chancellor says that Ukraine must resolve a “whole range of problems”. This is not just the situation with Yulia Tymoshenko, but issues to do with the legal system in Ukraine as a whole and about observance of human rights and civil liberties. .

It was bad enough that all peaceful actions for the last three years have been banned anywhere near the President’s estate at Mezhyhirya. Now peaceful protesters are being jailed .

President Yanukovych has said that no pardon can be granted until all criminal proceedings in the Tymoshenko cases have been concluded with this once again fuelling doubts about the competence of his advisers, both political and legal

On the same day that the European Court of Human Rights urged Ukraine to sort out its legislation on peaceful assembly, further worrying reports are emerging about ongoing violations of this fundamental right.

As gloomily expected, former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko’s cassation appeal against his second conviction has been rejected by the High Specialized Court in Kyiv

The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union has appealed to President Yanukovych to pardon Yulia Tymoshenko

The position taken that no intervention is possible until each criminal case against the former Prime Minister has passed through all possible stages in Ukraine cannot be used to effectively justify Yulia Tymoshenko’s indefinite incarceration.

“I think that those in power have made such a step as a precedent, and there are no arguments why such a step can be taken in the case of Lutsenko, but can’t be with respect to Tymoshenko”

While Yury Lutsenko’s release is wonderful, Yulia Tymoshenko remains in prison, and Lutsenko was "pardoned" after the last court in Ukraine rejected his appeal against a grossly flawed sentence

Days after the rejection of imprisoned ex-Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko’s cassation appeal and a strong message from the EU, there is suggestion that a “pardon” may be on the way on the grounds of health concerns

EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, and Commissioner Stefan Füle have expressed their regret over the rejection of former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko’s cassation appeal and reiterate concern over the trial which did not respect international standards

The rejection on Wednesday of Yury Lutsenko;s cassation appeal means that his defence is now able to apply to the European Court of Human Rights. It makes the chances of the EU being prepared to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement that much more remote.

Attempts to prosecute former opposition parliamentary candidate, Viktor Romanyuk, who was the clear leader until Party of the Regions candidate Zasukha got results in some polling precincts cancelled make any assurances given at the summit seem depressingly empty

The Cox- Kwaśniewski Mission to Ukraine is unlikely to be extended unless real changes are observed by 18 April and thus far there is no breakthrough in negotiations with President Yanukovych