Ukrainian anti-government protestors leave justice ministry
Justice Minister, Elena Lukash said that she would ask for a state of emergency if protestors did not leave the ministry building.
Ukrainian authorities later said there was no plan to introduce such a move.
There are still three buildings in downtown Kyiv that are still occupied by protestors, according to several media reports.
Protests have been taking place in Kyiv since early December, after President Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych decided not to sign a trade agreement with the European Union (EU) in favor of closer ties with Russia.
Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, held talks in Kyiv last week and recommended a “series of concrete steps to first start to rebuild trust of (Ukrainian) people”.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton has moved forward her visit to Kyiv from Thursday to Tuesday, due to ongoing unrest in the country.
Council of Europe warns Ukraine
In a statement published today Jagland said, “The Council of Europe’s initial assessment of the January 16 laws shows that too many provisions are clearly not in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.”
“Our recommendation is that the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) either cancels these laws or suspends them for a significant period of time to allow for an inclusive process in the Parliament. The Rada will receive our analysis.”
The Ministry issued a statement on Monday, saying that Turkey has been closely and carefully following the incidents in Ukraine; the country’s neighbor and strategic partner.
Turkey hopes that Ukraine‘s government will issue a democratic compromise that will overcome the crisis during the ongoing meetings between the government and opposition.
Anti-government protests broke out in late November, after Ukraine President, Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign a landmark trade agreement with the EU, amid intense pressure from Russia.