14 Mar 2014 16:47

Ukrainian authorities must signal readiness for dialogue over decentralization - UN official

KYIV. March 14 (Interfax) - Ukraine needs to make sure that all of its ethnic minorities and various social groups are involved in political decision-making, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic said.

There is a need for a clear sign of readiness for dialogue on decentralization issues. Ukraine must clearly demonstrate its intention to move towards a political system that will enable various social sections and groups to take part in the political decision-making, he told a press conference in Kyiv on Friday.

Ukraine needs to rule out any form of hatred and intolerance without restricting the freedom of self-expression, Simonovic said.

There is also a need to urgently reform its justice and law-enforcement system, and the lustration that is currently so much talked about must be up to the best world practices, the UN assistant secretary-general said.

The UN is ready to support the Ukrainian authorities in conducting adequate reforms, Simonovic said.