Over 470 civic organizations recently united at the Public Assembly of Ukraine to ensure that events take a better course in the state. Experts have differing views on the role of a civil society. A recent poll by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation indicates that 71 percent of Ukrainians believe that civic organizations can influence political life, compared to only 12 percent of respondents who do not think so. The only problem is how people can influence parliamentarians and the national political leadership.
Representatives of civic organizations in all regions gathered at the Ukrainian Home in Kyiv to debate this subject. They believe that the biggest problem is the political crisis that came to a head on the eve of the early elections, and which manifests itself in total public distrust of the government machine.
Says Iryna Bekeshkina, head of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation: “A political crisis indicates an aggravation of a country’s chronic problems. This is truly a chronic illness for Ukraine. Now and then it becomes aggravated, but you can live with it for a long time. The problem is that living with a crisis is very bad, so Ukraine must be healed.”
Proof of this is found in the statistics of polls conducted by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation. Thus, 62 percent of respondents believe that Ukraine is on the wrong track of progress, while 17 percent say it is on the right one; 60 percent of Ukrainians are convinced that the September elections will be rigged (42 percent do not trust the Central Election Committee), while every third respondent is sure the elections will be fair; 24 percent trust the CEC.
The assembly participants are very concerned about public distrust of the law enforcement and judicial authorities: only 24 percent of the population trusts the public prosecutor’s office, 19 percent, the Supreme Court, and 23 percent, the Constitutional Court. What public trust can there be if only 14 percent of the population feels that citizens have legal equality, whereas 89 percent say there is none whatsoever?
Vsevolod Rechytsky, a constitutional expert with the Kharkiv- based human rights committee, says: “One of the main reasons for the crisis in Ukraine is its idealized and idealistic constitution. To overcome this crisis, it is necessary to make amendments to the fundamental law or even rewrite it. A constitution means a guarantee of rights and liberties. Our current one has no guarantees of these freedoms. In addition, today’s judicial authorities are thoroughly bureaucratic, in other words, they are subordinated to the legislative and legislative authorities. I believe that Ukraine needs a bicameral parliament and rule of law.”
Hanna Holubovska-Onisimova, head of the national civic organization MAMA-86, believes that the most important measures for getting Ukraine out of the political crisis are formulating a national development strategy; amending the constitution or creating a new one; publicizing party slates of parliamentary candidates; holding local elections of such candidates on a majority basis on the local level; developing methods for the struggle against corruption; and formulating clauses to ensure that an MP or any other official can be relieved of his post.
The Day asked several participants of the assembly how Ukrainian citizens can influence the political situation.
Iryna BEKESHKINA, head of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation:
“Half of the political camp and society may refuse to recognize the results of the early elections. Politicians, however, act the way they are allowed to by the people. Therefore, it is necessary to ask parliamentarians tougher questions in public, particularly in the media. For example, ask them during a live broadcast what should be done about bad medicine and keep asking them until the people can see that the person is unable to give a concrete answer. This way, people will be able to arrive at the proper conclusions.
Liubov YEREMICHEVA, member of the board, OPORA Citizens’ Network:
“Today, representatives of a civil society — members of civic organizations — must join their efforts especially actively to have their say when they talk to politicians, who are immersed in their ambitions, intrigues, and at times immoral conduct. Civic activists must also make every effort to ensure that the elections to the Verkhovna Rada are held within the boundaries of law and moral dictates. Our society must know whom it is electing. To this end, it is necessary to provide conditions in which politicians will not be able to use trite revolutionary rhetoric, but will explain in simple words exactly how they view their policy in terms of the economy, medicine, housing and municipal services, and education. In other words, they must speak about concrete measures in this or that sphere instead of using cliches, like “free education” or “free medicine” (they’re fond of them). The results of the coming elections largely depend on us, the electorate, on our active and responsible stand, on our solidarity, on the requirements that we must impose on politicians. Only then will we have a fresh start in our coexistence.”
Mykhailo SHELEP, chairman of Volyn oblast’s youth council Young Reformers Association:
“We can influence politics only after organizing pressure and lobby groups. Since 2000 we have seen that the impact of society on politics is becoming more active. This must be a constant process rather than something that lasts for a couple of days. Everybody has forgotten about the Maidan, but that was when democratic pressure on the government was organized. People must cast their ballots for politicians who are doing something besides talking.”
Oleksandr BUKALOV, head of the civic human rights organization Donetsk Memorial:
“Society can influence those in power, but so far this influence has been rather weak. We must protect our rights calmly and organize rallies only as a last resort. I see this problem: civic organizations don’t want to work the way they should, and they don’t last long. We must act purposefully, so that everyone can see that you and your union, or organization, are doing something together. For example, our organization is waiting for replies from the public prosecutor’s office; we have filed human rights complaints with courts of law in Ukraine and Western Europe. Therefore, we can say that the authorities are gradually turning toward us.”
Liubov LUKIANTSEVA, president of the Kirovohrad association Public Initiatives:
“We can influence politics but we must systematize the mechanisms. Starting with a certain region, we must make certain decisions, not just discuss the situation. The assembly’s forum appointed 30 to 40 representatives of the third sector of power to each region. Demonstrations and pickets are one method of influence, but it can prove ineffective because first it’s necessary to know the law and monitor decisions made by the government together with the people (using local initiatives and public hearings). Second, civic organizations must achieve authority. So far it is nonexistent, and the third sector is very weak in terms of manpower potential, management, and finance.”
