Ukraine 2012 Parliamentary Elections

Observer Mission: Call for Support - Former Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Derek Fraser to Head Mission

Ottawa - July 5, 2012 - The Ukrainian Canadian community announced that it is sending a long-term Election Observer Mission to Ukraine to monitor this fall’s elections to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) and encouraged community members to support the Mission.

“As Ukraine continues its difficult transition from authoritarianism and corruption to democracy and rule of law, the Ukrainian Canadian community continues to stand by the people of Ukraine. Election monitoring has been one very important way our community has supported Ukraine’s fledgling democracy. Since Ukraine’s independence, hundreds of Canadians have served as election observers, both long and short-term through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) - Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) joint mission,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.

Why must Canada send election observers to Ukraine?

Despite significant gains made during and after the Orange Revolution, “Ukraine’s democracy remains very fragile. There has been renewed pressure on the political opposition, independent journalists and mass media, non-governmental and community organizations, [and small and medium business],” said Grod, adding “The international community has expressed grave concern as to the probability of this October’s Parliamentary Elections being free and fair, and the result being a clear expression of the will of the Ukrainian people.” A new law on parliamentary elections was adopted in November 2011 and now signed by the President.

In the context of growing authoritarian tendencies in Ukraine, the October 2012 Parliamentary Elections will be particularly important in signalling the country’s path for decades to come. “Given the troubling developments in Ukraine since the 2010 Presidential Elections regarding erosion of the rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and curtailment of democratic rights… the Ukrainian Canadian Community is calling for a substantial election observer mission to ensure that the democratic will of the Ukrainian people is reflected in the elections’ results,” concluded Grod.

Overview of the Mission

“During these upcoming elections, it is important not only to observe on the day of the elections, but also to develop an accurate picture of the legitimacy of the elections during the campaign. Therefore, the Ukrainian Canadian community is placing greater emphasis on long-term observation in Ukraine in order to monitor, among other things, freedom of the media, freedom of speech, independence of local election committees, riding boundaries, and pressure on political opponents,” stated Bohdan Onyschuk, CUF Chairman.

“The Ukrainian Canadian community is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in long-term election observation for the 2012 Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine. We have an impeccable reputation for objective and professional observer missions as well as a long-time commitment to promoting and supporting democratic rights and freedoms in Ukraine and throughout the world,” said Onyschuk.

The Observer Team

The planning of the UCC-CUF Mission has been underway for a number of months under the leadership of Mr. Orest Zakydalsky. An experienced observation and logistics team is being assembled. We are proud to announce that Derek Fraser, Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 1998 to 2001 and currently an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Victoria will head the UCC/CUF Long-Term Election Observer Mission to Ukraine. Ambassador Fraser and the first team of long-term observers will depart for Kyiv next week to set up the operations with other LTO teams to follow.

The Mission will provide an independent and impartial assessment of conditions and procedures for the months leading up to and on Voting Day for Ukraine’s October 2012 Parliamentary Elections. We will report our observations and provide comment on whether the election meets the threshold of ‘free and fair’ voting, and comment on any perceived shortfalls, always endeavouring to make a lasting contribution to democratic development in Ukraine.

Why is an independent UCC-CUF Mission essential?

It is anticipated that the Government of Canada will fund an election observer mission for the Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine through CANADEM. We expect a high level of cooperation and coordination with CANADEM, the Ukrainian World Congress and other government and non-government observer groups. However, our community’s voice must be heard and remain independent from the Canadian government or other NGOs.

Call for Financial Support!

This Mission is vital to Ukraine’s future and is a very expensive undertaking. In order for this Mission to thrive and achieve success, we urgently need your financial support. We ask you to make a generous donation to support the UCC-CUF Election Observer Mission. Your donation will qualify for a Canadian charitable receipt.

By giving to the Election Observer Mission you will help continue the work of countless volunteers involved in this initiative. We are confident that this Mission will be very successful, but it is ambitious from a financial point of view. Although our observers work as volunteers, we must cover the cost of hotels/apartments, meals, transportation, cell phones, drivers, translators, in addition to overhead administrative costs in maintaining an office in Kyiv. Short-term observers cover their own cost of transportation to and from Ukraine.

Donations can be made:

-     online on the CUF website at: http://cufoundation.ca/eom2012/

-     online on the UCC website at: http:www.ucc.ca/donate/donate-now/

-     by cheque payable to Canada Ukraine Foundation - EOM 2012 and sent to the following address:

Canada Ukraine Foundation

Care of: Roman Litwinchuk, Treasurer

Ukrainian Canadian Credit Union - Head Office

145 Evans Avenue, Suite 300

Etobicoke, Ontario M8Z 5X8

- by phone by calling the UCC Head Office in Winnipeg: (204) 942-4627

*Please note: Income Tax Receipts will be provided upon request for donations greater than $50*

Actions like these will help build a stronger understanding between the Ukrainian Canadian community and governments in Ukraine and Canada. Help us to ensure that the democratic voice of the people of Ukraine is heard!

Please support the UCC-CUF Election Observer Mission and help support Ukraine’s continued democratic development.