PLENARY SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014.
At the beginning of morning plenary session representatives of deputy factions and groups took the floor with announcements, statements and proposals.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov informed that yesterday evening there occurred an extraordinary event in the downtown of Kyiv: as a result of shooting, three persons were injured and the assaulter was detained. According to him, militia officers disarmed and drove out people illegally staying at Dnipro Hotel. “Irrespective of party affiliation, the church you attend or political slogans, the Ukrainian people demand order. Exclusively officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the Security Service and other military units can be armed,” he noted and suggested include into the agenda the draft resolution on immediate disarmament of illegal armed groups in Ukraine.
The people’s deputies upheld the proposal by 235 votes.
Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement Andrii Kozhemiakin reported on the draft resolution that suggests “in connection with emergency socio-political situation in the country, aggravation of the criminogenic situation and systematic provocations on the part of foreign citizens in the southern-east of Ukraine and in Kyiv, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine bound the Ministry of Internal affairs of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine to immediately disarm illegal armed groups.” The bill stipulates that the resolution comes into force on the moment of its adoption.
In the course of discussion, parliamentarians upheld the draft resolution.
Parliament members suggested also include into the agenda and the bill on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding increasing protection of rights to immovable property (Reg. No. 4613).
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill by 256 votes as a basis and in entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada has terminated powers of the people’s deputies S.Averchenko and V.Cherniakov.
Parliamentarians made specifications to the adopted resolution on holding parliamentary hearings entitled “Securing implementation of housing rights of dormitory residents: problems and solutions”, having set these parliamentary election for May 21.
The people’s deputies considered cadre issues. The resolutions on dismissal of O.Kopylenko and Yu.Donchenko from the posts of members of the Central Election Commission were adopted.
Other resolutions appointed K.Bereziuk and I.Liutyi to the posts of members of the Central Election Commission.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed 6 members of the Council of the National Bank of Ukraine: Bilanenko Oleksandr Heorhiiovych; Bukovynskyi Stanislav Albinovych; Kandybka Olha Mykhailivna; Kovalchuk Trokhym Tykhonovych; Lomakovych Vitalii Afanasiiovych; and Liutyi Ihor Oleksiiovych.
The people’s deputies did not uphold proposal of the Acting President of Ukraine on appointing S.Poltorak to the post of Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Turchynov asked the specialized committee consider this issue.
The acting Defence Minister M.Koval reported on the draft law on approval of the decision of the President of Ukraine on admitting armed forces of other states to Ukrainian territory in 2014 for participating in multinational trainings.
According to the speaker, nearly 2500 military men from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and approximately the same number of military from partner states will be involved in such trainings. “The idea, the spirit of these trainings correspond to provisions of the Law “On the Foundations of Domestic and Foreign Policy” and non-aligned status of our state”, claimed M.Koval.
Acting Minister of Defence also stressed that costs for trainings are stipulated in the budget for 2014. “Moreover, our partners channel considerable resources for conducting these trainings”, said M.Koval.
Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence Oleksandr Kuzmuk informed about the Committee’s decision to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety.
People’s deputies included the bill into the agenda and adopted it as a basis and in entirety with 235 votes.
Secretary of the Committee on State Building and Local Self-Government Ruslan Kniazevych reported on the draft law on amendments to the Law “On the elections of deputies of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, local councils and village, township and city mayors”, elaborated for the second reading. He stated that 311 amendments were submitted to the second reading, 156 of which are suggested to be adopted, 42 – partially adopted, 11 – adopted with editorial specification, 102 – rejected.
R. Kniazevych paid attention to the fact that the Committee upheld the proposal to correct the title of the bill, and now it is a bill not only on elections of deputies of local councils but also on amendments to other laws connected with this issue. The Committee unanimously adopted the decision to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada adopt this bill in the second reading and in entirety.
People’s deputies considered amendments to the bill.
Following the voting results, no amendments were upheld, and the bill did not receive enough votes (208 in avour).
Newly appointed members of the Central Election Commission K.Bereziuk and O.Didenko took an oath to the Verkhovna Rada.
The Chairman announced a break in the plenary meeting.
After the break, Oleksandr Turchynov informed about the results of the Conciliatory Council. In his words, leaders of factions did not reach a consensus on the 308th amendment to the bill on amendments to the Law “On the elections of deputies of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, local councils and village, township and city mayors” (re technical and legal improvement of the electoral process). There is no opportunity to adopt this bill now.
Oleksandr Turchynov instructed the specialized committee to adjust the law’s text. He added that the next plenary meeting on April 8 will begin with consideration of this bill.
Oleksandr Turchynov also informed that participants of the meeting did not reach an agreement on voting for the other bills.
The Chairman adjourned the plenary meeting.
During April 2-4 people’s deputies will be working with voters.
The next plenary meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8.