of Ukraine - KIEV

Brussels, 31 March 1992

Mr. President,

I am writing to you to inform you of the recent decisions regarding the problem of the death penalty taken by the European Parliament, which has advocated its abolition in all countries where it is still provided for. Herewith enclosed you will find the relative documents passed by the Assembly on 12 March 1992.

I am writing to you because I have the privilege of being the proposer of this report, and because I am basically convinced that your country, which has just come out of a long period of non-freedom and non-democracy, and which is trying, amid many difficulties, to organize itself according to the principles of a democratic state, could become the exemplary standard-bearer of this major civil rights battle.

I will not repeat the reasons which lead me to believe that this step - the abolition of the death penalty - is the first to be taken in the direction of the affirmation and the defence of human rights, given that the right to life is the fundamental right, in that it is instrumental in the enjoyment of every other right. I am convinced that you are aware of the fact that this concept has been assimilated and codified in the international law - European Convention of the Rights of Man, United Nations Pact on civil and political rights - and that as such, the abolition of the death penalty represents, for the countries that still apply it, the most evident sign of a turnabout and of a resolve to become champions of the construction of the much invoked "new era" of human rights and democracy.

Supported by these beliefs and hopes, I take the liberty of asking you to take three subsequent steps which could lead Ukraine to become a spearhead in this civil rights battle:

1) block the execution of the death sentence against Oleg Makoveckij, for whom the Radical Party, which I am part of, is conducting a campaign;

2) block the execution of all death sentences which have already been pronounced definitively;

3) activate the necessary procedures enabling the competent democratic authorities to abrogate the death penalty from the penal codes, for whatever crime it is provided for, including heinous crimes;

Obviously, it would be useful to provide ample information on this initiative and on your consequent decisions in every national and international forum.

I take the liberty, Mr.President, of entrusting to you all my hopes that this demand for freedom and fundamental democracy may be strengthened and enhanced by your decisions and by the decisions of the democratic institutions of your country.

I thank you, Mr. President, for your kind attention.

Yours faithfully,

Adelaide Aglietta

President of the Green Group - European Parliament