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News > World

Protests Pressure Ukraine to Address Lawmaker Immunity

  • Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko | Photo: Reuters

Published 19 October 2017
Opinion

Anti-corruption protesters have gathered in front of Ukraine's parliament to demand changes to criminal immunity for lawmakers.

Ukraine's parliament has yielded to thousands of anti-corruption protestors camped in front of the legislature and has scheduled a special session to discuss implementing changes to criminal immunity for lawmakers and the electoral law. 

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In recent days, a coalition of opposition party members and supporters have gathered in front of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian legislature, to exhort pressure on President Petro Poroshenko to abolish parliamentary immunity from prosecution. They're also calling on his government to enact reforms in Ukraine's electoral law, allowing for presidential impeachment.

Demonstrators are demanding that Poroshenko step down if the changes are not enacted.

Today's legislative agenda includes debates on lawmakers' immunity, as well as electoral law changes, according to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty.

Western-style health care reforms were passed earlier in the day. “Passage of the reform will be a positive sign that Ukraine is moving in the right direction and making progress towards becoming a European country,” read a statement released by the Health Care Ministry, according to the Financial Times.

The move was just one of several needed to keep up pace with requirements outlined by the International Monetary Fund's, IMF, assistance program, which amounts to over US$17.5 billion.

Occasional brawls have erupted between police and protesters in the days leading up to today's legislative session. Ukrainian media reported that police used tear gas against demonstrators yesterday and at least 10 people were arrested.

The protests, fueled by public outrage over high-level political corruption, began on Oct. 17. Poroshenko's critics claim that he's done little, if anything, to address corruption in his pro-Western government.

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