We express serious concern over the decision to impose personal sanctions on Ukrainian citizen Boryslav Bereza.
Regardless of one’s attitude to a particular person or their public activity, using the sanctions mechanism against citizens of Ukraine who are under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian state creates a dangerous precedent of replacing justice with political decisions. If there are grounds to believe that a person has committed an offence, such circumstances must be examined exclusively within criminal proceedings by independent law enforcement bodies and the court.
Freedom of political discussion, the right to criticize the authorities, and guarantees of a fair trial are fundamental principles of a democratic state and an integral part of Ukraine’s international obligations. Using sanctions against citizens of Ukraine instead of the procedures provided by law creates a dangerous precedent that may negatively affect freedom of expression and trust in the rule of law.
We call on the President of Ukraine and the National Security and Defence Council to review the decision to impose sanctions on Boryslav Bereza and to refrain from using the sanctions mechanism as an alternative to criminal justice against citizens of Ukraine.
The protection of democracy is impossible without the protection of the rule of law.