UWC President meets OSCE/ODIHR Director Janez Lenarcic

On March 18, 2011, the President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) Eugene Czolij met with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Janez Lenarcic in Warsaw, Poland. The Secretary of the Union of Ukrainians of Poland (OUP) Myroslaw Kupicz was also present at the meeting.

The UWC President provided the OSCE/ODIHR Director with an overview of UWC activities drawing special attention to the violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in Ukraine, including the government’s anti-democratic measures against political opponents. He also noted the zealous attempts of Russian authorities to liquidate two Ukrainian NGOs in Russia, the Federal National Cultural Autonomy of Ukrainians of Russia and the Union of Ukrainians in Russia, and to close the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow.

Janez Lenarcic expressed interest in the issues raised during the meeting and requested additional information. He appointed a contact person for maintaining communications with the UWC.

“Expanding cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights is an important step forward for the Ukrainian World Congress. We will continue to maintain close ties with the Office and support the defense of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainians in Ukraine and in the Ukrainian Diaspora, ” said UWC President Eugene Czolij.

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