- 3 - A/130/2-P.5 ANNEX II Original: English

THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE

Explanatory memorandum submitted by the Inter-Parliamentary Group of Canada The Canadian IPU Group wishes to propose the inclusion of an emergency item in the agenda of the 130th IPU Assembly, entitled "The crisis in Ukraine", for the reasons provided below. Since protests in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine began in late November 2013 in response to the Government of Ukraine’s decision to step away from closer relations with the European Union, the situation in Ukraine has escalated rapidly to crisis level. The initial protests, having metamorphosed into demonstrations against corruption and the pursuit of personal interests by those in power, became violent. To date, nearly 100 Ukrainians have died and numerous others have been injured or remain missing. The former president has fled to the Russian Federation, from where he issues statements that fuel political divisions and undermine the caretaker government approved by the Ukrainian parliament. Groups of individuals bent on violence are exploiting Ukraine’s regional, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity and challenging political and constitutional authority across the country. As the 130th IPU Assembly convenes, Ukraine has become the victim of an unprovoked act of aggression. Its Autonomous Republic of Crimea is unlawfully occupied by Russian military forces, unidentified armed groups are controlling Crimea’s borders, and an unlawful referendum on Crimea’s secession from Ukraine is set for Sunday, 16 March 2014. In sum, the future of Ukraine within its internationally recognized and guaranteed borders — as a unified, politically independent country with a population of 46 million people who have forged bonds transcending linguistic, religious, ethnic, historical and regional lines, lying at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, a fusion of western and eastern values and outlook — is in jeopardy. That this crisis has escalated to such an extreme and so quickly is alarming. This escalation, brought about by the Russian Federation’s illegal occupation, has taken place despite the international consensus on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, security and stability, and international commitments to the peaceful settlement of disputes. It undermines the rules and principles of international law, the cornerstone of international peace and security, as well as friendly relations and cooperation among States. It is also of deep concern for those who uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and association, the rights of minorities, and freedom of religion and belief. The situation in Ukraine constitutes a major event of international concern under Assembly Rules 11.1 and 11.2. It is unfolding contemporaneously with the 130thAssembly, and has no certain outcome or timeframe for a timely and peaceful resolution. Moreover, daily events and developments appear to be sustaining the crisis mode of the situation. The Ukrainian people are traumatized by the crisis. International efforts to find a negotiated end to the crisis have been repeatedly compromised by unilateral actions or rebuffed. Moreover, the presidential elections scheduled for 25 May 2014, which will be held under international scrutiny and according to democratic norms and principles, are being undermined by supporters of the former president who say they are illegitimate. Unabated and unresolved, the crisis in Ukraine will have implications for all IPU Member Parliaments. The role of the IPU is clear: to offer a forum for debate among parliamentarians and to take a strong stand when the general rules and principles of international law, representative democracy and human rights are so flagrantly violated.

II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 25________________________________________________________________________________________________________

50