Doc. 9446

7 May 2002

Journalist in prison in Ukraine

Motion for resolution

presented by Ms Severinsen and others

The Assembly expresses deep concern about the detention of journalist Oleh Liashko, in military detention for several weeks, for allegedly libelling a senior official of the Chief State Prosecutor's Office.

Recalling that according to the Ukrainian legal framework preventive administrative detention is only applicable in cases of serious crime the Assembly urges the Ukrainian authorities to take all necessary measures to secure a fair and adequate treatment of Mr Liashko who should be released from apparently illegal detention.

The Assembly demands that the authorities in Ukraine make sure that freedom of expression is fully respected in accordance with international commitments undertaken and in respect of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Signed :

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Belohorská, Slovakia, EDG

Bruce, United Kingdom, LDR

Čekuolis, Lithuania, LDR

Cilevičs, Latvia, SOC

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Gustafsson, Sweden, EPP

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Isohookana-Asunmaa, Finland, LDR

Kostenko, Ukraine, EDG

Kovalev S, Russia, LDR

Kresák, Slovakia, LDR

Kroupa, Czech Republic, EPP

Landsbergis, Lithuania, EDG

Libane, Latvia, LDR

Libicki, Poland, EDG

Lloyd, United Kingdom, SOC

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

Popescu, Ukraine, SOC

Vahtre, Estonia, EPP

Voog, Estonia, LDR

Wohlwend, Liechtenstein, EPP

Wurm, Austria, SOC

________________

       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group