The Parties discussed the release and return of Verkhovna Rada deputy and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Nadiya Savchenko to Ukraine. Mr. Markert said Savchenko has become a symbol of Ukraine's fight for its independence and territorial integrity.
"This is our joint victory. We are grateful to the leaders and politicians of the whole democratic world for Nadiya's release," Hryhorii Nemyria said.
The Parties also discussed the situation in Ukraine and issues related to the Russia's aggression against our state. Besides, they discussed the protection of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons in particular, elimination of discrepancies in the legislation on internally displaced persons and authorizing these people to take part in elections.
In speaking of this topic, the Chairperson of the Committee reminded that four months ago the Law of Ukraine on protection of rights and freedoms of the internally displaced persons took effect, however, none regulatory-legal act of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has yet been brought in line with this law.
"This is an attempt to ignore the law. That is unacceptable if we remember that the law touches lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The authorities must protect rights and freedoms of their citizens, and not infringe them," Hryhorii Nemyria said.
Hryhorii Nemyria informed Thomas Markert about the intention of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to address the Venice Commission with a request for an expert conclusion on correspondence of the draft laws of Ukraine Nos. 3587 and 3587-1 "On guarantees of freedom of peaceful gatherings" to respective European standards. Mr. Markert appreciated such step and assured of the readiness of the Venice Commission to consider the said draft laws.
Besides, the Parties discussed the issue of constitutional process and elaboration of the new election law.
Besides, the Chairperson of the Committee met with representatives of relevant committees of the PACE.
As earlier reported, on May 24-25, Strasbourg hosted a high-level meeting entitled "Internal displacement in Ukraine: further steps" organized by the Council of Europe.