Ukraine on way to peace? Parliament scraps anti-protest law, PM quits

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha Kiev: In what is expected to placate the violent protests in the country, the Ukrainian Parliament agreed to repeal the anti-protest legislation that had angered the demonstrators already miffed with the government for not signing a deal with the EU. In another conciliatory move, Ukrainian PM Mykola Azarov too offered to quit to make “social and political compromise”. In a statement, Azarov, one of those most despised by the opposition, said that he had taken the decision to help the conflict get resolved peacefully. "To create additional opportunities for social and political compromise and for a peaceful solution to the conflict, I made a personal decision to ask the president of Ukraine to accept my resignation as prime minister of Ukraine". Defending his government Azarov said, "During the confrontation the government has done everything to resolve the conflict peacefully. We have done and are doing everything to prevent bloodshed, the escalation of violence and the violation of human rights".

Meanwhile, the scrapping of the anti-protest law comes after marathon debate and a free vote on the matter held in the Parliament today. President Victor Yanukovych had already agreed to repeal the law, according to a statement released on the presidential website. The law that sparked furious clashes between the opposition supporters and Ukrainian police, banned setting up of tents in public areas and wearing masks or helmets during protests. The contentious law, that was adopted on Jan 16, also stipulated that anyone blockading police building would be jailed. The conciliatory moves on part of the Ukrainian government come a day after the President had yesterday met three opposition leaders and agreed to grant amnesty to the detained people only if the protesters on the streets stopped demonstrating and vacated buildings that they have occupied. Despite government`s appeasing moves, two demands of the opposition remain unfulfilled yet and it may take more time to see the calm return to the streets of Kiev. The opposition has also been demanding Yanukovych`s resignation and fresh elections to be held. The pro-Western protests in Kiev began Nov. 21 after President Viktor Yanukovych shelved a long-planned political and economic treaty with the European Union, then accepted a huge bailout package from Russian President Vladimir Putin instead. The crisis was aggravated in recent days after protesters and police clashed violently. The protests were sparked in Nov last year after the President postponed a treaty with the EU, and instead accepted a $15bn bailout package from Russia.