PLENARY MEETING OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014
232 people’s deputies registered for participation in the plenary session.
Having opened plenary session, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov expressed conviction that “all Ukrainians are outraged with further aggression of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which is an integral part of our country, and with Russia’s attempts of political annexation of the invaded territory.”
Oleksandr Turchynov informed about yesterday’s meeting of the National Security and Defence Council in the course of which a complex of diplomatic, administrative, as well as military and technical measures directed at counteracting Russian aggression was adopted.
The Chairman also informed that illegally captured Navy Chief Commander, rear admiral Haiduk and all civil hostages, illegally seized by Russian Federation Armed Forces on the Crimea’s territory, were released this night and are on their way to Kyiv.
Oleksandr Turchynov announced that the people’s deputy Serhii Soboliev is elected the acting Chair of the “Batkivshchyna” faction in connection with election of A.Yatseniuk the Prime Minister of Ukraine under the minutes of “Batkivshchyna” deputy faction of March 4.
The Presiding granted a floor to representatives of deputy factions and groups for making statements.
Before speeches, deputies observed a one minute silence to honor memory of the military man, who died in Crimea during the attack on one of the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The people’s deputies noted in particular that “it is necessary to adequately assess the situation “without cries and curses”, the more so the situation is extremely threatening.” Parliamentarians stressed that “Ukraine did not lose Crimea. Today the price of Crimea is preservation of Ukraine.”
Speakers believe that it would be topical to raise the issue of submitting a statement on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union in the Verkhovna Rada, since Ukraine was actually left alone with the problem of its territorial integrity.
The people’s deputies stressed that “relying on international moral support, Ukraine should count on its own.” Thus, they believe, it is necessary to elaborate and adjust step-by-step actions and start implementing them.
“We need to talk to the country. It is no longer enough to exchange ideas in offices and take abstract decisions,” stressed the people’s deputy V.Lytvyn.
V.Lytvyn noted also that “at present, law enforcement bodies are demoralized. The right of force dominates.”
The people’s deputy called on the colleagues to consolidate around wise decisions and actions, and, first of all, in regard to Crimea. “Problem number one are our military men in Crimea. It is extremely difficult to hold negotiations under such circumstances.”
Commenting on speeches of factions’ representatives regarding reduction of the power block, Oleksandr Turchynov informed that he has entrusted the Cabinet of Ministers to stop reduction. “Moreover, additional financing is now opened for the National Guard and the Armed Forces, and partial mobilization of Ukrainian patriots to the Armed Forces and the National Guard is taking place.”
Speaking about European integration, Oleksandr Turchynov informed that he has signed the directive for the Prime Minister of Ukraine, who should sign the Association Agreement with the European Union on Friday.
Leader of the “Economic development” deputy group Anatolii Kinakh noted that “unprecedented events are taking place now, and they pertain not only to territorial integrity but also to violation of fundamental norms of the international law.”
Representative of “Batkivshchyna” faction M.Tomenko suggested urgently adopt the Law “On the Occupied Territory”.
“Svoboda” faction leader Oleh Tiahnybok focused on the necessity to protect Russian speaking population, that is now being talked about. “As if anyone has ever offended them in Ukraine,” he added.
After the speeches of deputy factions and groups, the deputies voted on the agenda that was suggested by the Chairman and got down to consideration of agenda items.
Oleksandr Turchynov read out the text of Declaration on the fight for liberation of Ukraine: For the first time after the end of the Great Patriotic War, generally recognized European borders are being “redrawn” by the country that guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders, under multilateral and bilateral agreements. The notorious doctrine of “augmentation of the Russian world” is the only clear motive of the Russian Federation in committing this international crime.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine attaches attention of international governments and parliaments, international organizations and international community to the fact that Ukraine will never recognize annexation of an integral part its territory – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, seized by Russia by brutally violating fundamental norms of international law and generally recognized principles of co-existence of states.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses all members of international community with a persistent request to refrain from international recognition of the so-called “Republic of Crimea” and annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia in the quality of new subjects of the Federation.
On behalf of the people of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada declares that Crimea was, is and will be a part of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people will never, under no circumstances, stop fighting for liberation of Crimea from the occupants, whatever complicated and prolonged it might be.
Ukraine will win because God and the truth are with us.”
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Declaration by 274 votes.
The draft resolution on the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine re guarantees of rights of the Crimean Tatar people as a part of the State of Ukraine was reported by the people’s deputy Petro Poroshenko.
Under the bill, “Ukraine acknowledges the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, executive body Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people as a competent authority of the Crimean Tatar people.
The draft resolution has several instructions to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding urgent submission of draft laws and regulatory legal acts determining and confirming the status of the Crimean Tatar people as indigenous people of Ukraine.
Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations Valerii Patskan reported on the Committee’s decision to recommend that the Parliament adopt the resolution in entirety.
People’s deputy Mustafa Dzhemilev claimed that “all clauses of the Verkhovna Rada Statement are important; they outline ways of further restoration of rights of the Crimean Tatar people and democratization of Ukraine in general as a modern state that is building its future for people, for citizens of all nationalities.”
M. Dzhemilev called people’s deputies to become “personal people’s representatives of villages, townships, cities, towns and regions of the Crimea. We all need to pay attention to needs and pain of Ukrainian citizens that are under occupational circumstances, we need to find ways of providing competent assistance in the Crimea, and here, in Kyiv.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the resolution with 284 votes.
Factions representatives suggested consider in the second reading a draft law on restoration of the rights of persons deported on ethnic grounds (Reg. No. 0921).
People’s deputies considered two draft laws on ensuring rights and freedoms of citizens on the temporary occupied territory of Ukraine (Reg. No. 4473 4473-1) and the draft law on the occupied territory – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Reg. No. 4497).
People’s deputies Yurii Derevianko, Serhii Soboliev and Oleh Liashko reported on them.
People’s deputy Yurii Derevianko suggested adopt the law that guarantees all social and labour rights, as well as all freedoms stipulated by the Constitution to the military men, executive authorities and local-self government officials, citizens of Ukraine and members of their families living on the occupied territories.
Speaking about difference between two bills, Yu.Derevianko claimed that bill of people’s deputy S.Soboliev ensures establishing legal order on the occupied territory, and his bill ensures rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens on the temporary occupied territories.
People’s deputy S.Soboliev claimed his bill is analogous to the bill adopted as a basis after partial occupation of Georgia’s territory and which passed the Venice Commission.
S.Soboliev claimed that both bills regulate different spheres and suggested uphold both of them in the first reading.
People’s deputy O.Liashko stated that his bill stipulates restricting economic activity on the occupied territories and responsibility for illegal use of natural resources, sea zone, etc. by aggressors and other persons.
O.Liashko addressed the Chairman asking to amend the title of the bill “On the temporary occupied territory – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea”.
Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations Valerii Patskan informed about Committee’s suggestion to unite two bills of people’s deputies Yu.Derevianko and S.Soboliev into one law.
People’s deputy E.Leonov stated that “in the first place, we need to speak not about territories but about citizens of Ukraine under occupation who every week, every day, every hour and every minute face danger of physical destruction.”
MPs suggested unite all bills into one, refine it and adopt in entirety.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that the Ministry of Defence is constantly in touch with our military units in the Crimea. He also said that he is in touch with commanders of military units and they know what to do.
People’s deputy M.Rudkovskyi claimed it is urgent to consider the law on ensuring integrity which should stipulate necessary resources for transporting families of military men from the Crimea; mobilization in order to send, for example, 20 thousand reservists to the Crimea, introduce emergency state in Southern and Eastern regions of Ukraine aiming to stabilize situation and ensure order; ensure functioning of banking system in the Crimea, legal system and on this basis negotiate with the Russian Federation.”
Summing up the discussion, Oleksandr Turchynov stressed that this law suggests not acknowledge the annexation. “Annexation is illegal accession of a territory of a sovereign state to the other country. We do not acknowledge the annexation, we acknowledge these territories as temporarily occupied”, he stressed and suggested adopt one of the bills, the bill of S.Soboliev, and refine it with consideration of provisions of bills by people’s deputies Yu.Derevianko and O.Liashko.
People’s deputies adopted as a basis the bill of people’s deputy S.Soboliev with 276 votes.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that the Cabinet of Ministers is working on the anti-crisis programme, package of laws, and amendments to the state budget for 2014.
Oleksandr Turchynov asked chairpersons of specialized committees to activate their work and work together with the Cabinet of Ministers on these laws.
The Chairman informed that tomorrow a meeting of leaders of deputies’ factions and groups, as well as committees together with the economic block of the Cabinet of Ministers will be held.
Representatives of factions submitted suggestions to consideration of bills aimed at strengthening defense potential of the country.
The Chairman adjourned the evening meeting.
Next plenary meeting of the fourth session will be held on Tuesday, March 25.