In light of the Ukrainian Parliament passing a new law that seeks to abolish and prohibit the Communist Party of Ukraine if signed by President Porošenko, GUE/NGL MEPS have expressed their great concern regarding this attempt to ban the party and all its symbols.

The Group calls on the President not to sign this law and to safeguard the Communist Party of Ukraine's parliamentary statute and resulting immunity.

The Group expresses its solidarity with the Communist Party of Ukraine and condemns the blackmail, attacks, intimidation and destruction of property that the party has been subjected to in recent months.

Not only do the actions taken against the Communist Party of Ukraine highlight the failure of Ukraine to meet its obligations as a party to many key international human rights instruments, they reflect a dangerous trend in the new Ukrainian government's policy to suppress critical voices.

All parties and organisations which criticise the government must be free to act without restrictions and intimidations.

The GUE/NGL Group will send relevant messages to the President of the EP and the European Council demanding their intervention regarding this issue.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group