Timmermans condemns Ukraine police violence

Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans has criticized Ukrainian authorities for the harsh police action against demonstrators Saturday morning in Kiev.

Frans_Timmermans (Habib M’henni, Wikimedia Commons) “One’s freedom of to speak his mind and the freedom to meet are important values that are anchored in the European Declaration of Human Rights, that has been ratified by the Ukraine. When you react with violence to a peaceful protest, you are in violation of this declaration,” Timmermans wrote on his Facebook page. Police broke up a large anti-government demonstration in the center of the Ukrainian capital before dawn Saturday, injuring many. The riot police used tear gas when they dispersed the crowd of about 400 protesters who were demanding the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych. Demonstrators were reportedly seen bleeding at the city's Independence Square. The crowd was the remains of a rally Friday night that attracted some 10,000 people protesting Yanukovych's decision not to sign an association agreement with the European Union. Timmermans called on the Ukrainian Government to respect the rights of the demonstrators to express their opinions. He also urged that the Government initiate an independent inquiry into the violent incident and bring the guilty to justice.