According to the outcomes of the first round of the Presidential elections in Ukraine, showman Volodymyr Zelensky who has won the first place and current President of the country Petro Poroshenko whose rating is almost 15% lower, are to keep on struggling. It is still uncertain who will occupy the presidential post but many analysts are already giving predictions on possible unrest and public rallies after the second round. The police are getting ready for possible renewal of the 2014 Maidan events. There is an active discussion in the Ukrainian media of an emergency instruction for the security forces on how to act in case of any rallies or demonstrations after the elections.
According to the instruction, after the elections, every assemblage and rally of more than 20 people will be considered to be an organized and sponsored action constituting a direct threat to statehood and constitutional order. The security forces have a comprehensive range of methods of suppressing all those discontent with the results of the elections starting with common batons, tear gas and water cannons, and ending with firearms. It is pointed out in the instruction that a security officer is even allowed to open effective fire “in case of detecting any provocateurs or foreign agents, who can seriously affect security of the state and normal functioning of the state bodies, are spotted”.
Obviously, the measures taken by the Ukrainian authorities directly violate fundamental human rights and liberties that are observed not only by international conventions, but also by the Constitution of Ukraine. That approach is irrelevant to the European democratic values, and it also displays the commitment of the Ukrainian authorities to dictatorial methods of state governance. It should be noted the Presidential campaign of this year was spoiled by a great number of scandals: lots of candidates were accused of bribery of voters and frame-up. During the voting in the first round a great number of violations of the local electoral legislation were disclosed. Thus, the people of Ukraine have the right to doubt the results of the elections and show their disagreement. The authorities of the country should scale back their policy and pick the path of democratic development of the country if Ukraine wants to be a part of the European Union.
