This hearing focused on concerns of democratic backsliding in Ukraine under President Viktor Yanukovych. In particular, the witnesses and commissioners discussed their concerns with the October 2010 local elections, the March 2012 mayoral elections. The witnesses, including the representative from several different non-governmental organizations working on democratic development in Ukraine, spoke about the impact of corruption, controls over the media and harassment of NGOs on the electoral process. Evheniya Tymoshenko, the daughter of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, also spoke about her mother’s case.
Members
Hon. Christopher Smith
Chairman
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Steve Cohen
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Michael Burgess
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses
Yehvenia Tymoshenko
Daughter of Imprisoned Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko
Stephen Nix
Director
Eurasia Division, International Republican Institute (IRI)
David Kramer
President
Freedom House
Katie Fox
Deputy Director, Eurasia
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Gavin Weise
Deputy Director, Europe and Asia
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Relevant Issues
Relevant Countries
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