What can you do about EU-Ukraine Agreement?
Mental Callisthenics with Vujko Ilko
By Oksana Bashuk Hepburn
I have not heard from Vujko Ilko for awhile and miss our mental callisthenics; discussions on things Ukrainian. I give him a call.
“Hello Uncle Ilko. Long time no hear. Is everything all right?
“Nope. It’s a disaster. A lawless regime in Ukraine and an apathetic community in Canada.”
“Wow! Vujku, you’re too pessimistic. Our churches were packed at Christmas, there were beautiful carol concerts and hundreds of Malankas across Canada. In Winnipeg alone, there were scores of public bars offering Malanka events.”
“So what does that mean? Preservation of Ukrainian festivities and fun. PUFF stuff. Get it? PUFF? Not serious enough to get the opposition politicians out of prison and sign the EU’s Association Agreement. Do you realize how important it is for Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to do the right thing? It’s a historic moment for him. Are we working flat out to make this happen?”
He continues without my answer.
“We’re not standing up for justice in Ukraine any longer.”
“Vujku, Vujku! Hillary Clinton made a strong appeal to the Yanukovych government about freeing incarcerated political opposition leaders. That Prosecutor General Renat Kuzmin is furious that his visa to the US has been revoked.”
“My point. Who’s putting on the pressure? Primarily EU and the US government. Where’s Canada? Did you read the Ukrainian Canadian Congress press release on what the UCC and other leaders of Canada’s Ukrainian community discussed with the Minister responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency? The democratic world’s number one issue - the incarcerated leaders - aren’t even mentioned. Given such silence on human rights violations, do you think the Canadian government is going to take it upon itself to exert further pressure on the oligarchs in Ukraine? It seems like our leaders want to do business with Ukraine and the political prisoners are in the way.”
“Why not ask for both? Canada does this with China and others who trample on law and human rights: criticize violations and talk relations.”
“A sensible approach. I don’t know why things went quiet after last year’s Ukraine at the Crossroads conference and hearings in Parliament on the democracy slippage in Ukraine. The only demonstration in all of North America - as far as I know - calling for the release of Yulia Tymoshenko and Yuriy Lutsenko and the falsification of elections, was in Ottawa. The young Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Program interns highlighted the problem. Compare this to the hunger strikes, demos and appeals for the dissidents of the Seventies. We’ve lost our focus. Our organizations feel more confident in dealing with historic events and dead heroes than with today’s problems. Mushtarda po obidi! That won’t get us influence.”
“So what did the UCC call for at the meeting with the Minister?”
“It’s on the website - more money for civic society building, capacity building, small and medium enterprises -bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and thank-you for the large election observer mission. Oh yes, and the historic Lonsky Street Prison issue. As you know, your mother and father sat in Lonsky during the Nazi era for Ukraine’s independence, but to focus on the historic injustices without reference to what is right under their noses today is absurd.”
“I agree and sending observers to the election does not prevent corruption. It does show support for a lawful process…”
“…Builds interest, involvement, commitment among observers. However, elections, civic society development etc. will not work if the Yanukovych government has its way in suppressing democracy. We often hear that Ukrainians are afraid to do well in business because the raiders take over. Corruption flourishes when criticism stops. The government arrests undesirable politicians, finds bogus tax issues in enterprises it wants to take over, makes Russian the second official language and, shuts down Ukrainian-language radio stations. He’s in charge.”
“It does seem hopeless, doesn’t it?”
“It’s bad but not hopeless. The Hon. Ralph Goodale, Member of Parliament in Regina, Saskatchewan wrote some wise things on his blog about Ukraine. All our organizations have to do is say the same thing to Canada’s government and voil, we have a Canada-Ukraine strategy with teeth and action items.”
“Vujku, what is the UCC’s position on the Association Agreement with Europe?”
“A carrot without the stick. UCC wants Ukraine to be admitted, but fails to connect EU integration with the release of the opposition leaders. Yanukovych wants the same thing. “
“What does the EU say?”
“Europe is very clear: free the imprisoned political leaders, get the election irregularities fixed or no Association Agreement. It has given Ukraine until November to comply. But anything can happen to Yulia and Yuriy between now and then. We must ask Canada to tell President Yanukovych: no hanky-panky or “unfortunate” accidents for any imprisoned opposition politicians. Have Canada send another medical team.”
“Who should speak to the government on this?”
“Every freedom-loving Canadian. It’s our right and responsibility. Pick up the phone and call your MP. But make sure that the message is clear: support Ukraine’s admission into Europe’s trade zone providing it complies with democratic standards by freeing the opposition leaders. Ask UCC to do so. Make sure this is clearly stated before you sign a letter or petition. Be a smart democrat.”