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World

Ukraine gov-t under fire from West for sweeping anti-protest laws

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Ukraine Parliament
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    Ukrainian pro-government lawmaker Volodymyr Malyshev, left, wipes blood from his face after a scuffle in the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. Lawmakers scuffled in the Ukrainian parliament during a debate on this year's budget. Despite the opposition's efforts to disrupt the vote, the budget draft, which has already been delayed by almost two months, was passed in its second reading. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) (The Associated Press)

  • a9256c22-Ukraine Parliament
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    Ukrainian opposition lawmakers block the podium before a scuffle in the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday Jan. 16, 2014. Lawmakers scuffled in the Ukrainian parliament during a debate on this year's budget. Despite the opposition's efforts to disrupt the vote, the budget draft, which has already been delayed by almost two months, was passed in its second reading. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) (The Associated Press)

  • 35013418-Ukraine Parliament
    Image 3 of 3

    Ukrainian lawmakers scuffle in the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday Jan. 16, 2014. Lawmakers scuffled in the Ukrainian parliament during a debate on this year's budget. Despite the opposition's efforts to disrupt the vote, the budget draft, which has already been delayed by almost two months, was passed in its second reading. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) (The Associated Press)

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukrainian leaders are under fire from the West for passing sweeping anti-protest laws amid anti-government demonstrations that have rocked Kiev for nearly two months.

Despite noisy protests from the opposition, the Ukrainian parliament, dominated by President Viktor Yanukovych's loyalists, passed a flurry of legislation Thursday that significantly curbs the rights to protest, free speech and the activity of non-governmental organizations.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Friday she is "deeply concerned" by the new laws and called on Yanukovych to revise them. The bills have yet to be signed by the president. The U.S. State Department called the laws "undemocratic" and said they contradict Ukraine's aspiration to a European future.

The demonstrations were sparked by Yanukovych's decision to freeze ties with the EU and tilt toward Russia instead.