August 27, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
UWC CALLS UPON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF ANY PROHIBITION BARRING YURIY LUTSENKO FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ELECTIONS
On August 27, 2012, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij called upon the international community to demand that Ukrainian governing authorities immediately release from prison opposition leader and former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko and lift any prohibitions barring him from participating in the parliamentary elections set for October 2012. Failing that, these elections will be marred by controversy over their legitimacy.
UWC also confirmed that it shares the sentiments of the United States of America, France and Ukraine’s Emergency Situations Minister denouncing the 17 August 2012 verdict against Yuriy Lutsenko.
A copy of the letter was sent by UWC to President Viktor Yanukovych with an appeal to facilitate the immediate release of Yuriy Lutsenko from prison, and to lift any prohibitions barring him from participating in the October 2012 parliamentary elections.
The UWC is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The UWC has member organizations in 32 countries and ties with Ukrainians in 15 additional countries. Founded in 1967 as a non-profit corporation, the UWC was recognized in 2003 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with special consultative status.
