How Ukraine Became A Dictatorship.

On Friday 17^th January 2014, the Ukraine turned into a dictatorship. The Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych signed a set of laws passed on Thursday by the government that violate civil rights. Moreover, the procedures in which the bills were passed created greater anger among the citizens and the opposition. Yanukovych, by agreeing a deal with Putin, is continuously creating an environment that is close to the one in the Kremlin.

In September last year, Yanukovych was urging his political party colleagues no to favour tightening relations with Russia. Nevertheless, a few months later he surprisingly turned his back on the EU and made a deal with Russia. Consternation among European leaders could be observed after this unexpected move. Yanukovych decided not to sign the free trade agreement with the EU in order to accept the Russian deal proposed by Mr Putin. We didn’t have to wait long for the consequences as people came out onto the streets to protest against the decision. Adding to that Mr Yanukovych has not only surprised hits citizens and EU officials but he has also astonished party colleagues upon whom he was calling earlier, to not  back the deal with Russia. Several key political partners resigned to show their disagreement with the President. Since then the country has been divided putting its stability at stake.

Four months later the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliment, undemocratically voted to impose authoritarian laws. Voting procedures were extremely controversial, as it was conducted by raising hands not as it used to be, electronically. The opposition was unable to stop this outrageous way of forcing the laws.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mFyE8Z2m30

This new bill package can be compared to those of Soviet times when anti-government movements became outlawed. Media now faces censorship, for any anti-government media activity the author is threatened by being sentenced and jailed. Additionally, a person can now be sentenced by a court without being present. Furthermore, civic organisations receiving funds from abroad have to register as a foreign organization from now on. The immunity of Parliamentarians is now loosening in order to be prosecuted easier than before now. Lastly, any anti-government protests or gatherings will face now criminal responsibility.

Dark clouds have been gathering above the Ukraine over the last few months creating greater concerns for the West. The new laws spiced up the crisis and have ensured the continuing violence and protests. It is a shame that the ex-Soviet Union state appears to be going back in time and repeating its mistakes. Lastly, the lack of a solid leader in Maidan makes the situation worse as the people continue to demand a new leader.