Ivan CHYZH: "Since January the attack on freedom of expression has been going full blast"

"There are very few editors and companies capable of voicing their views without risking retribution from the regime," Ivan Chyzh, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Freedom of Expression and Information Committee, told The Day. Suffice it to recall what happened to the Polityka and Dniprovska pravda. Although there are sufficiently democratic laws in effect which guarantee human rights and freedoms, including that of expression, those in power seem to have made no conclusions from January's Strasbourg scandal.

"De facto the onslaught on the freedom of expression has been going full blast since January," insists Mr. Chyzh. "Perhaps the biggest problem is the regime's attempt to create most favorable, monopoly conditions for a certain presidential candidate. This is especially true of state television where all information is provided on a 'single-polarity' basis and opposition leaders are barred access."

In late April Ukraine will report to the Parliamentary Assembly on the fulfillment of all CE requirements. The Freedom of Expression and Information Committee states that lawmakers will hold special hearings sometime in May to force the authorities to make certain concessions before the crucial PA meeting in June.