EU Presidency Urges Ukrainian Parties To End Dispute
April 28, 2007 -- The German presidency of the European Union has expressed "serious concern" about the political crisis in Ukraine.
In a statement, Germany urgently called on the parties involved to settle their dispute.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has been locked in a stand-off with supporters of pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych since April 2.
That is when Yushchenko ordered the dissolution of Ukraine's parliament and early elections.
(compiled from agency reports)
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service asked people on the streets of Kyiv on April 10 what they think of the rule of law in Ukraine.
Leonid, a construction worker:
"I have taken a businessman for whom I worked to court. And I managed to defend my rights under the current government."
Alla Mykhaylovna, pensioner:
"So far, we are defending our rights in the squares. However, everything will be normal in the future and we will be able to defend our rights legally, and human rights will not be violated."
Oleksandr, construction worker:
"Of course it is impossible [to rely on the law]. The laws are not good. You can buy everything here. You can use a law any way you like."
Kateryna, a student:
"It is 50-50. It is not possible for everyone to defend their rights according to possibilities the laws provide. It often happens that money determines the result. On the other hand, there are more and more people who manage to prove they are right under the existing laws."
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