09/18/2003 | peter byrne

September 18, 2003



Ambassador Herbst Opening Remarks
Conference on Freedom of Speech/ Human Rights in Ukraine
National Taras Shevchenko University
Kyiv, Ukraine
September 18-19, 2003

I am honored that the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group asked me to
speak. Let me say thank you to the other organizers of this conference, as
well as to the leadership of this great university for providing us with a
venue for this dialogue. I arrived in Ukraine less than a week ago. It is
apt that my first public appearance would be at the 2003 conference on Media
Freedom and Human Rights in Ukraine. After all, the United States
constitution is devoted to the principles that this conference will address.
My interest is in improving the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship to the fullest
extent possible. That is best achieved by encouraging Ukraine to realize the
democratic objectives that it has laid down and to practice the human rights
principles that it has embraced by signing the European Convention on Human
Rights. Respect for these basic freedoms is an essential part of the advance
to democratic freedom and prosperity.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated its aspiration for integration into Europe,
for membership in NATO and the European Union. . To achieve its goals of
membership in these organizations, Ukraine must ensure that all its citizens
enjoy media freedoms and fundamental human rights. Ukrainians must not be
satisfied with their country's progress until they live in a country free
from temniki, for example. As some of you may know, I have spent much of my
life working in and on the post-Soviet area. In this context, Ukraine has
managed some real achievements in the development of a democratic society.
At the same time, Ukraine's human rights record in 2003 continued to raise
concern. This week marks the third anniversary of the disappearance of
Heorkiy Gongadze, and we still do not know what happened. The recent death
in custody of Minister of Interior officer Ihor Honcharov, who had been
scheduled to testify in court on the murder of Gongadze, will continue to
spark interest in the human rights case of the journalist. Future events in
the life of harassed judge Yuriy Vasylenko of the Criminal Division, Kiev
Court of Appeals and his wife, lawyer Tetiana Montian, require national and
international monitoring attention. In addition, we will continue to monitor
events in the high profile lives of human rights defense attorney Andriy
Fedur, and of the wife and mother of the slain journalist Gongadze. The
controversial vehicular death of journalist Volodymyr Yefremov and attacks
on journalists throughout Ukraine continue to cause concern. With the 2004
presidential election, Ukraine's treatment of its journalists will continue
to be a point of international scrutiny.

With presidential elections in Ukraine quickly approaching, Ukraine's
aspirations of European integration hinge on a free, fair, and transparent
2004 presidential election in Ukraine. Outside observers will expect
presidential campaigns and the election itself to be conducted based on the
very freedoms you are espousing at this conference.

On the positive side, in May 2003 the Government of Ukraine closed the
criminal case against numerous Ukrainian publications that alleged
defamation of President Kuchma. When parliament votes in September,
amendments to the law on TV and radio broadcasting should not restrict the
re-broadcasting of the BBC, the Voice of America and Deutsche Welle in
Ukraine. Moreover, the Government of Ukraine should cease to put pressure on
Western broadcasters and their Ukrainian partners.

Also encouraging is that the State Bureau of Religious Affairs (SBRA)
continues to show signs of real governmental representation of all the
country's religions and various believers. Adherents of many faiths have
found comfort in freely expressing their beliefs in Ukraine.

During twelve years of independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine has come
a long way. But make no mistake; there is a long way to go. This coming year
offers real opportunity for Ukrainians to bring greater democracy to
Ukraine. Americans stand ready to support Ukrainians to help realize goals
of freedom. Now, I am here to listen, to form impressions, and in the coming
years, to work with Ukrainians toward improved fundamental freedoms and
human rights in Ukraine. I will work with you to support the goals Ukraine
has articulated for itself: a future of independence and democracy in
Ukraine. I look forward to working with you to make Ukraine a better place
for all. Thank you very much.





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September 15, 2003



AMBASSADOR HERBST TO OPEN THE CONFERENCE ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN UKRAINE - 2003



U.S. Ambassador John E. Herbst will conduct his first press conference since his arrival in Ukraine Thursday, September 18, at 9:30 a.m. before the official opening of the Conference on Freedom of Speech and Human Rights in Ukraine – 2003. The press conference is in room 46, third floor of the main corpus at the Institute of Continuing Education, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv.



Ambassador Herbst will make a statement and then take questions for 15 minutes. Also participating will be Yevhen Zakharov, head of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group.



To register, please call 490-4129 or 490-4026 by Wednesday, September 17 at 5 p.m. Press should be set up and seated no later than 9:15 a.m. Please remember to bring identification.



Immediately following the press conference, Ambassador Herbst will make opening remarks at the Conference on Freedom of Speech and Human Rights in Ukraine – 2003. Press is invited to cover his remarks as well as those of other guests at the opening session, which will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Press is also invited to cover all sessions of the conference. The Conference concludes at 6:00pm on September 19. All conference sessions will take place in the main hall at the Institute of Continuing Education, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv.



The purpose of the conference is to analyze the observance of human rights and media freedoms in Ukraine and to promote a dialogue between civil society and government on these important issues. Conference participants will report on the results of monitoring human rights and media freedoms in Ukraine during the last year. Conference participants include winners of the Media and Human Rights Grant Competition announced by the U.S. Embassy on November 8, 2002. Representatives from these organizations will exhibit their work on human rights and media freedoms throughout the conference.