February 3: Congresswoman Kaptur Meets with Fmr. Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s Daughter
Kaptur and Eugenia Tymoshenko spoke at length about the former prime minister's detention, appeal, and concerns over her health and safety. In response to the former prime minister's imprisonment, Kaptur introduced a resolution in October 2011, H.Res. 435, condemning Yulia Tymoshenko's politically charged prosecution by the new Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's government. Yulia Tymoshenko had lost the presidential election to Yanukovych just a few months before she was imprisoned.
"The international community sees this trial against former Prime Minister Tymoshenko as a selective prosecution, brought on for political reasons," said Kaptur.
In November 2011, reports emerged that Yulia Tymoshenko was in very poor health in jail. "The physical well being of the former prime minister has become a serious concern," Kaptur said. "Several Western Ambassadors have been denied access to her, and she is even being denied access to a personal physician. She must be guaranteed access to adequate medical care."
In addition to the resolution, Kaptur has condemned the persecution of Tymoshenko on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and has joined members of the Ukrainian Congress of America, which represents over 1 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, in calling for Congressional hearings on Tymoshenko's treatment.
"The Ukrainian government's recent actions are a setback for democracy and human rights. I have worked for decades to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, and this could put a strain on the relationship between Ukraine, the U.S. and the international community," said Kaptur.
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