The illegal meeting of deputies of the 5th convocation of the Verkhovna Rada is an attempt to protect immunity

As President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko stated in a televised address, the ruling coalition today violates the law and the Constitution of Ukraine by holding an illegal session of the Verkhovna Rada. Their goals are clear: to block the early elections on September 30 and to protect the culture of immunity in Ukraine. The facts confirm that Viktor Yanukovych and the Party of Regions constantly acted to protect and cultivate immunity. Today's gathering of deputies of the 5th convocation is merely a continuation of these actions. Here is an incomplete list of evidence:

Fact No. 1: 8.09.2006 The Party of Regions faction in the Verkhovna Rada voted for a draft law that provided for granting deputy immunity to deputies of local councils (PR: for – 48, did not vote – 3, absent – 1).

Fact No. 2: 4.04.2006 The PR faction refused to vote for the abolition of immunity for deputies of local councils (PR: for – 1, against – 4, did not vote – 47). 4.04.2006 T. Chornovil: "The abolition of immunity for deputies of local councils is absurd…".

Fact No. 3: 24.09.2004 The PR faction in full composition did not support the draft law on the abolition of benefits and privileges of officials of all branches of power 6.10.2006 The PR faction did not support the draft law on the abolition of benefits for people's deputies (PR: for – 2, did not vote – 178).

Fact No. 4: 3.06.2006 Verkhovna Rada deputy D. Shentsev (PR) in Kharkiv attacked Associated Press photo correspondent A. Avdoshyn. 12.07.2006 Verkhovna Rada deputy O. Kalashnikov (PR) forcibly took a cassette from an STB film crew. Both deputies from the Party of Regions hid from criminal liability behind their deputy mandates.

Fact No. 5: 14.06.2007 V. Yanukovych: "Statements about renouncing deputy immunity are populism".

Fact No. 6: 30.06.2007 ("Dzerkalo Tyzhnia") V. Yanukovych: "…it is expedient to provide for the possibility of retaining a deputy mandate for ministers". Thus the prime minister proposes to extend deputy immunity to members of the Cabinet of Ministers, including himself.

The facts are more convincing than the statements of the gathering of deputies of the 5th convocation: Yanukovych and the Party of Regions are against the abolition of immunity. The true purpose of their gathering, which creates the appearance of solving the problem, is to block the process of cleansing power through the holding of elections. Having supposedly voted on the immunity issue, they will in fact immediately after the elections annul such a decision through the courts.

Instead, the "Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense" Bloc is full of determination to put an end to immunity. This initiative was launched by the President of Ukraine. Deputies from "Our Ukraine" voluntarily resigned their mandates and renounced their immunity. This is evidence of the seriousness of our intentions.

The Ukrainian people will independently decide at the elections on September 30 which political force is truly responsible and honest before its voters, including on the issue of immunity.