by Vladimir Ivanov

[Translated by A.Prishchenko, Kyiv, 30/10/95]

On October 29, 1995, as a continuation of discussion of death penalty, Ukrainian TV gave the floor to the minister of justice of Ukraine Mr. Sergiy Golovaty.

He said, that joining EC, the state of Ukraine has undertaken certain obligations that were compulsory conditions of Ukraine joining the organization. One of such obligations is putting the Ukrainian legislation in accordance with standards accepted by European Union. In particular, one of the standards is exclusion death penalty both from legal practice and Ukrainian legislation.

Hence, the moratorium and the following abolition of death penalty are obligations undertaken by Ukrainian state in European Community. Ukrainian President, Procurator-General and minister of justice, not being private persons, can not express their own opinions opposite to the state political position, while these people represent the state.

The fact of appearance of such declarations itself is a nonsense, that in any civilized state would automatically entail a resignation of the person who affords such demarches.

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Comments of V.Ivanov:

One must suppose that public discussion of this topic will grow like a snow-slip, thus Radical party on all levels should not be indifferent. But the question stays: what our actions will be adequate?