28 January 2014, 17:36
PLENARY MEETING OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON JANUARY 28, 2014
395 parliament members registered for participation in the extraordinary session.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak announced the extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the seventh convocation open.
Ukrainian Anthem was played in the session hall.
Volodymyr Rybak informed that the Presidents of Ukraine L.M.Kravchuk, L.D.Kuchma and V.A.Yushchenko participate in the extraordinary session.
The presiding at the meeting said that the events that have caused the deaths of people and injured are now taking place in the country.
The people’s deputies held moment of silence for the deceased.
At the proposal of the people’s deputy T.Bakhteieva, the MPs paid tribute to an outstanding Ukrainian oncologist, Academician of the Academy of Medical sciences of Ukraine, the Hero of Ukraine Hryhorii Bondar, who passed away on January 27, with a moment of silence.
Having invited leaders of the deputy factions to the office of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Volodymyr Rybak announced a break in order to agree on the agenda items.
Volodymyr Rybak came into the presidium at 11 a.m. and informed that consultations of the faction leaders continue. He asked the people’s deputies to be in the session hall at noon.
At 12.30, Volodymyr Rybak informed that during the meeting of the Conciliatory Council it was suggested to recognize the following laws, adopted on January 16 this year, as invalid: the Law No. 721-VII “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On the Court System and the Status of Judges” and procedural laws re additional protective measures of citizens’ safety”; the Law No. 722-VII “On amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine (re responsibility for commitment of administrative offences during football matches)”; the Law No. 723-VII “On amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine re liability for administrative offences of the sphere of road safety, recorded automatically”; the Law No. 724-VII “On amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”; the Law No. 725-VII “On amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine (re criminal proceedings in absentia)”; the Law No. 726-VII “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Assistance” re postponement of coming into force the provisions of clause 6 of chapter VI “Final and Transitional Provisions”; the Law No. 727-VII “On amendments to article 197 of the Tax Code of Ukraine re exemption of operations on import of natural gas to the customs territory of Ukraine from VAT”; the Law No. 728-VII “On amendments to article 297 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (re responsibility for desecration or destruction of monuments erected in commemoration of those who fought against fascists during the Great Patriotic War – the Soviet military men-liberators, participants of the partisan movement, undergrounders, victims of fascist persecutions and peacekeepers)”; the Law No.729-VII “On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine re responsibility for denial and excuse of fascist crimes”.
The people’s deputies upheld the proposal of the Chairman to consider this issue during the plenary meeting by 355 votes in favor.
Volodymyr Rybak suggested adopt this decision ad hoc and consider without discussion and adopt the whole decision package as a basis and in entirety.
The proposal was upheld by 356 votes in favor.
With 361 votes, the Verkhovna Rada recognized the abovementioned laws of January 16, 2014 as void.
Volodymyr Rybak claimed that there is a mutual consensus between all deputies’ factions leaders on a positive settlement of the next issue. He suggested adopt an ad hoc decision on consideration of the bills submitted to change some of the reversed laws. Particularly: on amendments to the Law “On free legal assistance” re postponement of coming into force the provisions of clause 6 of chapter VI “Final and Transitional Provisions” (Reg. No. 4030); on amendments to article 297 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (re responsibility for desecration or destruction of monuments erected in commemoration of those who fought against fascists during the Great Patriotic War – the Soviet military men-liberators, participants of the partisan movement, undergrounders, victims of fascist persecutions and peacekeepers( (Reg. No. 4037); on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine re responsibility for denial and excuse of fascist crimes (Reg. No. 4038); on amendments to article 197 of the Tax Code of Ukraine re VAT exemption of importing natural gas into the customs territory of Ukraine (Reg. No. 4039).
With 314 votes, the people’s deputies included these bills into the extraordinary session agenda.
Parliamentarians also adopted an ad hoc decision on consideration of the bills without discussion and adoption of decisions on them by a package “as a basis and in entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted these bills as a basis and in entirety with 257 votes.
The people’s deputy O.Turchynov suggested include to the agenda the bill on amnesty and the draft law on establishing the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada on amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine.
With 396 votes, the people’s deputies included the draft law on amnesty to the agenda.
On the request of the Chairman, the decision was made to consider the issue on establishing the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada on amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine after a break.
Volodymyr Rybak announced a break till 4 p.m.
After the break, at 4:45 p.m. Volodymyr Rybak informed that negotiations between deputies’ factions leaders continue, they are complicated, as the issue on amnesty is complicated by itself. According to him, the opposition and majority have reached an understanding regarding this issue, however there are still some issues that need to be considered to find the ultimate understanding regarding the law on amnesty.
The Chairman suggested continue the extraordinary plenary session tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The people’s deputies adopted this decision with 368 votes.
Volodymyr Rybak adjourned the plenary meeting.
The next extraordinary plenary meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 29, at 11 a.m.