Ukrainian deputies might not go to Strasbourg in April

One member of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation (willing to be unknown) informed a Den correspondent, that Ukrainian deputies should not go to Strasbourg in April. Because, according to the rules, if any national delegation is not present, the issue of its authority may not be included in the agenda. Thus, the problem will be automatically postponed for another three months, until the June session. And during this time a new parliament should manage to settle the issue...

However, in April Ukraine has to report on imposition of not only virtual but formal (legally confirmed) moratorium on execution of death sentences. If it fails to do so, the authority of Ukrainian representatives might not be approved in the Parliamentary assembly.

Anatoly Rakhansky, Deputy, said to a Den correspondent, that probability of this decision being approved by Verkhovna Rada of the present convocation is very low.

But the parliament in its current composition will be working for just another few weeks: the election will be held late in March. And all sociological polls show public opposition to such a moratorium, let alone to abolishing capital punish ment. Most deputies, who are trying to get reelected for another term, do not want to assume responsibility for unpopular decision. For the same reason one should not pin his hopes on a Presidential decree which, in principle, could impose such a moratorium.

As for the new members of the Parliament, they will be convoked only in May, so they just will not be able to settle the issue by the next April session of the Council of Europe.

Strasbourg — Kyiv