But the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy, headed by BYuT representative Serhiy Mishchenko, refused altogether to consider the draft Law of Ukraine "On Public Organizations" (registration number 3371 of 14.11.2008).

It is worth recalling that the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine do not give committees the right to refuse to consider draft laws submitted to them, instead obliging committees to preliminarily consider the draft law within a thirty-day period and adopt a decision on the expediency of including it in the agenda of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

8 public organizations, namely the Ukrainian Independent Center for Political Research, the Institute of Mass Information, the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, the Civic Network "OPORA," the All-Ukrainian environmental public organization "Mama 86," the European Law Development Network, the Center for Political and Legal Reforms, and "Telecritika" remind the Prime Minister that the adoption of this document is not only a point in the government program but also Ukraine's obligation to the Council of Europe.

It is known that on April 3, 2008, the European Court of Human Rights recognized the Ukrainian law "On Associations of Citizens" as violating the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as undemocratic (Case "Koretskyy and Others v. Ukraine").

APPEAL OF PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS

Dear Yulia Volodymyrivna!

We, the leaders of Ukrainian public organizations, express deep concern regarding the failure to adopt the new edition of the law "On Associations of Citizens," despite the fact that in the government's activity program this task is defined under number one.

As is known, clause 1.1 of the Program of Activity of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "Ukrainian Breakthrough: For People, Not Politicians," approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 14 of January 16, 2008, provides for the development of a new edition of the Law of Ukraine "On Associations of Citizens." And this testifies to the fact that the current coalition and government team are aware of the importance of civil society in the country for the overall democratic development of Ukraine.

In addition, the adoption of this draft law is Ukraine's obligation to the Council of Europe. It is known that on April 3, 2008, the European Court of Human Rights recognized the Ukrainian law "On Associations of Citizens" as violating the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as undemocratic (Case "Koretskyy and Others v. Ukraine").

The history of the adoption of this document, which is extremely necessary for the country, is complex and drawn out over time. Back on November 14, 2008, the Government sent to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for consideration the draft Law of Ukraine "On Public Organizations" (No. 3371). The draft law simplifies the procedures for creating and registering public organizations, provides the opportunity to carry out activities throughout the entire country, creates an open register of public organizations, and so on.

The draft law has received positive conclusions from the UN Representation in Ukraine, from the OSCE, and has been recognized by Ukrainian and international experts as complying with the Fundamental Principles on the Status of Non-Governmental Organizations in Europe (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on April 16, 2003).

But for almost a year the parliament has not considered this fundamental draft law for the development of civil society, which, according to the government's activity program, is a priority task.

We appeal to you with a request to pay special attention to this matter and to facilitate the earliest possible consideration and adoption of the draft Law of Ukraine "On Public Organizations" (No. 3371).

Source: Ukrainian Independent Center for Political Research

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The All-Ukrainian Youth Public Organization "Association of Young Reformers (AMoRe)" joins this appeal and calls on all active citizens working in particular in NGOs and the media to join the pressure on the government in order to achieve the adoption of the relevant law.