The elimination of selective justice, the most glaring case of which is that of Yulia Tymoshenko, depends on political will and the desire to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Thomas Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the United States Department of State, has said, according to Official web site of Yulia Tymoshenko.
"The issue of selective justice depends on the political will and new lawful habits in Ukraine. But we also have to consider the legislative changes," Thomas Melia said on Channel 5.
He called the case of Yulia Tymoshenko the most significant example of selective justice in Ukraine. "This doesn’t mean something like this won’t happen in the future, but for now this tops the list of such cases," he added.
Thomas Melia believes the release of former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko and acting Defense Minister Valeriy Ivashchenko is only the first step. "There is progress, but this doesn’t mean everything has been solved. Much remains to be done – prosecutors, judges, lawyers must be taught. There should no longer be a Soviet way of working in this field," the U.S. State Department representative said.
"This is one of the issues, one of the conditions put forth by the European Union for Ukraine to be able to sign the agreement on association and free trade zone. This is a proposal. The EU is truly focused on this issue," he underscored.
Thomas Melia said the U.S. supports the offer of the EU and EP mission that tries to "find a solution to this issue so that it’s legal in Ukrainian conditions and for there to not be obstacles to Ukraine’s signing of the important agreements with the EU."
He also said his government hopes the Cox-Kwasniewski mission will be successful. "We hope it will succeed. We’re using our channels of communication with different players in the field so that Ukraine doesn’t lose this important opportunity," he said.
"From I heard from the Europeans, I can conclude that this agreement can’t be signed without freeing Tymoshenko. But this also a European process. If the good will exists, Ukraine will remove this obstacle and will continue on its road to integration with Europe," Thomas Melia said.
