THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF VI CONVOCATION WAS ADJOURNED ON FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY  

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opened the morning plenary meeting. He reminded that the Government Question Hour is held every Friday. Representatives of the Party of Regions and the BYuT-Batkivshchyna deputy factions suggested that the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported on the observance of legislation by the law-enforcement bodies.   

Anatolii Mohyliov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, took the floor.  

The first question concerned detention of three activists of the protest actions against the Tax Code on the Independence Square, and their bringing of a charge under clause "Wilful Destruction or Damage of Property." The detainees are accused of damaging the granite cover of the Independence Square. The People´s Deputies inquired whether these actions of the law enforcement bodies are reasonable.  

A.Mohyliov reminded that the participants of the public protests have the right to express the protest and take any action not prohibited by the law. The law enforcement bodies are obliged to respond to any violation regardless of political or other convictions of the infringers.   

As to the specific case, A.Mohyliov reminded that the action had been organized by 4 non-governmental organizations, whose leaders shall bear responsibility under the applicable law.  

According to A.Mohyliov, independent experts estimated the damage of property at the rate of UAH 230 thousand. The criminal proceedings on this fact were instituted on December, 3. The bodies of inquiry have found out the actual perpetrators of the crime.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine answered the question concerning the action plan on fighting corruption in the law enforcement bodies.

The People´s Deputies inquired about the reforms in the law enforcement bodies, reduction of staff, and social security of the dismissed employees.

Other questions concerned the process of investigation of specific cases, murder of O.Korobchynskyi, deputy of Odesa regional council, leader of the regional organization of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, investigation of the claims that the police searched after Maria Matios, Ukrainian writer, national award winner.

The parliament members also asked the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine whether the regional departments of the internal affairs bodies were inspected for observance of the rights and freedoms of the detained.

A.Mohyliov responded that provision of civil rights and freedoms was a criterion of activity of the internal affairs bodies.   

The People´s Deputies were also concerned about the poor quality of work of the special departments on fighting organized corruption; the role of the organs of inquiry in the system of internal affairs bodies of Ukraine; reforms of the criminal-procedural legislation; counteraction to the violations in the sphere of land relations.  

A.Mohyliov responded to these questions.

The Chairman read out the deputy inquiries.

The People´s Deputies supported the draft resolution "On holding of the Parliamentary Hearings "Land in the Ukraine's Destiny: Situation in the Land Sphere, Legislative Support of Land Relations and their Realization."

The draft resolution on the ban on privatization, alienation, hypothecation of the state shares in the statutory capital of Odeska Kinostudia CJSC or their inclusion into the statutory capitals of the economic partnerships irrespective of the form of ownership was presented by People´s Deputy Volodymyr Lytvyn.

V. Lytvyn also presented the bill "On Amendments to several Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding Activity of Gardeners' Partnerships and Garden Cooperative Societies."

The People´s Deputies adopted the bill in its entirety.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On Amendments to Clause 32 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine" (re the Term 'Close Relatives').

Nina Karpachova, Ombudsperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, presented the annual report "State of Observance and Protection of Rights and Liberties in Ukraine." She stated that the report was a result of a systemic monitoring of the specific procedures, appeals of the citizens of Ukraine, foreigners, stateless persons, and refugees.

N. Karpachova emphasized that more than 1 million people had appealed to the Ombudsperson of Ukraine since the foundation of this institute. In 2010, 82 appeals were sent to the Ombudsperson. Most of them concerned violation of human rights, namely, the right on fair trial, service of writs, and normal conditions in the place of confinement. Numerous appeals concerned violation of social and economic rights.

The Ombudsperson focused on the infringements upon the human rights, stating "the most brutal form of human rights infringement in Ukraine is the increase of poverty." She singled out violation of the constitutional rights for the timely payment of salary, intolerance to the Ukrainians abroad, discrimination of foreign migrants in Ukraine, and xenophobia manifestations.

N. Karpachova dwelled upon one of the most pressing social problems the right for judicial defense. She deems necessary to adopt the Law "On Free Legal Assistance", and a new version of the Law "On Advocacy."

N. Karpachova deems necessary to prevent tortures, meeting the international obligations of Ukraine. Thus, she appealed to the People´s Deputies of Ukraine with a request to adopt the bill on the independent status of the Ombudsperson in criminal proceedings.  

N. Karpachova announced that the Ombudsperson cooperated with the President of Ukraine on a regular basis. In 2010, the Ombudsperson sent 20 submissions and 16 appeals to the President of Ukraine.

Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International relations Oleh Zarubinskyi stated that listening to the annual report "State of Observance and Protection of Rights and Liberties in Ukraine" is among the Parliament´s authorities, as envisaged by clause 85 of the Constitution of Ukraine.

Oleh Zarubinskyi announced that the Committee received one thousand appeals of the citizens of Ukraine during 2010.

The Chairman announced that the members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine headed by Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Head of the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine, Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Ombudsperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Head of the Central Election Committee, Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Head of the State Property Fund, Head of Anti-Monopoly committee of Ukraine, Head of the Supreme Council of Justice and other officials attended the closing ceremony of the seventh session.

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, delivered a speech at the closing of the seventh session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Sixth Convocation. He stated that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Sixth Convocation passed "a point of no return", thus the Ukrainian Parliament of the current convocation will finish its constitutional term with understanding and constructive work.  

He singled out six peculiarities of the session that determined the activity of the Parliament.

The Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine attaches great importance to the next session, as "it requires special determination, responsibility, tolerance and competence." "I hope we will guarantee the efficient work in line with the principles of our party. There are at least 1100 bills under consideration, 160 of which are being adjusted for the second reading. Thus, we have a lot of work since February 1", V. Lytvyn stated.

The Head of the Parliament thanked the members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the People´s Deputies for their fruitful work. He declared the seventh session closed.

The eighth session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the sixth convocation launches on Tuesday, Feberuary 1, 2011.