Oleh Zarubinskyi, Committee Chairman, stated that the hearings were a form of response to the heated discussions of the Bill (Reg. No. 2450) among the public associations, and were connected to its scrutiny at the second reading.
He believes that the freedom of peaceful assemblies
is a fundamental human right that lies in the basis of a democratic society. However, Ukrainian legislation fails to regulate this
issue. The Committee members declared that the bill determined democratic
principles of organization and conduct of peaceful assemblies, which should be of informative, not permissive
character.
While the bill was being adjusted to the second reading, several provisions were amended in conformity to the Constitution of Ukraine. The provisions restricting the civil right for peaceful assemblies were exempt from the bill, whereas the right for counter-meetings, simultaneous and spontaneous peaceful assemblies was included.