КYIV SECURITY FORUM
EXPERT FOCUS
Europe in Ukraine Rather than obsess about EU-Ukraine political relations, this year’s KSF discussion focused on Ukraine’s internal development path as the key to that country’s European integration. As the standard of measurement for a European country, the panel used the innovative and approachable idea of “human-friendly,” broadly defined by Susan Corke of Freedom House as a country where individuals enjoy broad rights that are protected by a government of their choosing. In comparing Ukraine to this ‘human-friendly’ standard, panelists noted critical gaps. The October 2012 parliamentary election fell well short of international standards, compounded by authorities’ recent actions: contentious rulings and re-runs of elections in selected districts, stripping newly-elected deputies of their mandates, and the questionable legal decision to delay Kyiv’s mayoral election for two years. This disenfranchisement of voters is taking place in the context of a broader effort to use administrative pressure, raider attacks, selective justice, extortion, and buy-out offers to suborn independent media, suppress civic and political movements, and induce parliamentarians to switch allegiances. Repression targets more than the opposition; it is endemic to a state that preys on its citizens through a judicial and police system that serves not law, but self-interest and power. Panelists agreed on the measures that should be taken to address these shortfalls – measures that broadly coincide with the criteria set out by the EU Council last December: the restoration of popular legitimacy through free and fair elections, the end of political persecution, and the re-invigoration of a broad reform agenda. Several speakers went into additional detail:
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Pawel Koval raised the reform of the court system as an essential element of implementing EU values and re-building citizens’ trust in government. At the same time, he noted that flexibility may be needed to provide a viable way forward on entrenched issues like corruption.
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Hryhoriy Nemyria highlighted the reform of the prosecutor’s department as the core element of badly-needed judicial reform, and emphasized that re-building public trust requires reinvigorating the electoral system. This should include the implementation of OSCE ODIHR recommendations in a new electoral code, the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners, and the conduct of free and fair elections for parliamentary districts facing re-runs and for the Kyiv city mayor.
6th Кyiv Security Forum