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Kaptur Calls for End to Violence in Ukraine

January 29, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 28, 2014) – In a speech today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Kaptur called for an end to violence in Ukraine.

“No more blood should be shed in Ukraine. The world community looks to Ukraine to live up to the magnificent nation she can be, linking East and West, North and South,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, who is co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.

Here are her remarks from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives:

Mr. Speaker, I want to reference this morning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reads: “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”

Sixty-five years after the ratification of this most important document, police in Ukraine continue to brutally fend off protestors and journalists who have been demonstrating for over two months in the bitter cold for their human rights and democratic freedoms. We know there have been countless injuries, and now, sadly, there have been five deaths.

Kiev, a beautiful and historic city, now resembles a war zone, covered with ash and burning fires. The situation in Ukraine goes more dire every day, and we in Congress have the responsibility to stand with Ukraine’s freedom marchers.

I call upon our fellow Members to support the passage of H.R. 447, which supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Ukraine and calls for condemnation of the regime’s undemocratic practices. We implore President Yanukovych and the opposition leaders to advance the cause of freedom for all the people of Ukraine.

Last evening, Ukraine’s parliament rightly repealed its early passage of the anti-free assembly laws, and its prime minister resigned. These are hopeful signs to calm the unrest.

As we gather this evening to learn about the state of our own Union, let us not forget the state of our trusted allies around the world. I ask President Obama to please draw attention to the economic and political crisis in Ukraine here tonight.

No more blood should be shed in Ukraine. The world community looks to Ukraine to live up to the magnificent nation she can be, linking East and West, North and South. Her potential is unlimited.


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