on the Presidential Elections held in November 2004 in Ukraine

We, the Delegates of 32 European green parties, meeting in Dublin for the first Council of the European Green Party, have examined and discussed the reports about the Ukrainian Presidential Election.

We are of the opinion that this election has been heavily rigged and the results falsified, so that they can’t be acknowledged.

Therefore we ask for a review of the elections under strict OSCE supervision. We urge the still acting President Kucma to order this review and by this to heal the dangerous split of the Ukrainian nation.

We ask the President in exercise of the European Union and our respective Governments to support this demand and to stand in the protection of the Ukrainian democracy.

We urge President Putin not to intervene further and in any form in this electionary process.

We, members of the European Green Party would like to extend herewith our support to one of our founding members, the Green party of Ukraine and to the people of Ukraine in the situation that has emerged after the second round of presidential elections in Ukraine.

Recognising that ultimately it is the people of Ukraine who will judge the credibility of the electoral process and based on the reports of OSCE, PACE and other international institutions we wish to state the following:

1. The Presidential elections did not meet European and international standards and the benchmarks required for democratic elections, due to various violations of the election law, repressing human rights and dignity. 

2. Problems in the pre-election period were potentially serious enough to affect the outcome of the election. For example, severe problems with voters’ lists in nearly all areas led to disenfranchisement of significant numbers of voters; unfair media coverage was provided; state resources were used for partisan political activity, etc. All this contributed to a climate of intimidation that pervaded the election period and undermined confidence in the fairness of the election results. 

3. In accordance with the spirit and principle of universal adult franchise, and commitment to a peaceful, transparent, and fair electoral process, the EFGP/EGP would urge the current administration in Ukraine to implement the people’s choice. The final results of these elections should be questioned by the established election administration and legal procedures and moves should be taken to address all grievances. Violations should result in administrative discipline and referral to criminal prosecution according to law.

4. EFGP/EGP welcomes the initiative of the people, unprecedented in the history of post-independence Ukraine, who have gathered from all parts of Ukraine in the central square in Kyiv and are demanding fair judgement and full transparency of the electoral process.

5. In this context, EFGP/EGP extends its support to the Party of Greens of Ukraine and other political forces protecting democratic values in the country and urges them to take the initiative together in navigating the Ukrainian nation through these difficult times of democracy building based on principles of equality, rule of law and sustainable development.