MOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti) – New laws in Ukraine severely curtailing the freedom to protest will enter into force after being published Tuesday as clashes persisted between anti-government demonstrators and police in the capital, Kiev.
Under a package of legislation swiftly approved by lawmakers last week, protesters can now be detained for 15 days for taking part in unsanctioned demonstrations or wearing helmets or masks during rallies. The law takes effect one day after its publication in the parliamentary newspaper, which took place Tuesday
Blocking entrances to government buildings – a hallmark of the recent street protests still sweeping Kiev – is now punishable by jail terms.
The laws were pushed through the parliament without discussion by the ruling pro-presidential Party of Regions on January 16 amid scenes of chaos, as opposition deputies occupied the speaker’s rostrum in a bid to stop the passage of the bill.
The legislation, which was signed off on by President Viktor Yanukovych the next day, was roundly condemned by the United States and EU, as well as human rights activists.
The laws are apparently aimed at clamping down on street demonstrations sparked by Yanukovych's decision to back off from signing key integration agreements with the EU in November.
The legislation itself sparked fresh protests Sunday that rapidly descended into violence between police and protesters and continued through Tuesday morning.
