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Ukraine MPs pass 'anti-protest' laws Ukraine MPs pass 'anti-protest' laws
(35 minutes later)
MPs loyal to Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych have rushed through sweeping legislation apparently aimed at curbing continuing anti-government protests.MPs loyal to Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych have rushed through sweeping legislation apparently aimed at curbing continuing anti-government protests.
The changes include a ban on unauthorised tents in public areas and criminal responsibility for slandering government officials.The changes include a ban on unauthorised tents in public areas and criminal responsibility for slandering government officials.
The laws were passed by a quick show of hands, rather than the usual system of electronic voting.The laws were passed by a quick show of hands, rather than the usual system of electronic voting.
The opposition said this was illegal, accusing the ruling party of a coup.The opposition said this was illegal, accusing the ruling party of a coup.
The US and several EU countries expressed deep concern over the new bills.The US and several EU countries expressed deep concern over the new bills.
The Ukrainian opposition warned this would further inflame the protest movement, calling for a big gathering in the capital Kiev on Sunday. "Profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms," said the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fuele, in a tweet.
He said the move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations" and its commitments in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November, amid Russian economic pressure.
The Ukrainian opposition warned the new measures would further inflame the protest movement, and called for a big gathering in the capital Kiev on Sunday.
Anti-government protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades in Kiev's Independence Square - known as the Euromaidan - for nearly two months in the freezing cold.Anti-government protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades in Kiev's Independence Square - known as the Euromaidan - for nearly two months in the freezing cold.
The mass demonstrations were initially triggered by President Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of an EU deal under heavy pressure from Russia in November. The mass demonstrations were initially triggered by President Yanukovych's last-minute rejection of the EU partnership deal in November.
The protesters' demands later widened to include the fight against what they said was widespread government corruption and abuse of power.The protesters' demands later widened to include the fight against what they said was widespread government corruption and abuse of power.
'Coup d'etat''Coup d'etat'
On Thursday, MPs from Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, together with the communists and a number of independents, passed the laws amid scenes of chaos in parliament.On Thursday, MPs from Mr Yanukovych's Party of the Regions, together with the communists and a number of independents, passed the laws amid scenes of chaos in parliament.
The measures were pushed through in a matter of minutes when lawmakers simply raised their hands, despite the protests of opposition deputies who had earlier blocked the speaker's platform to try to disrupt the voting.The measures were pushed through in a matter of minutes when lawmakers simply raised their hands, despite the protests of opposition deputies who had earlier blocked the speaker's platform to try to disrupt the voting.
One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or detention.One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or detention.
Another bill provides a punishment of one year of corrective labour for slandering government officials.Another bill provides a punishment of one year of corrective labour for slandering government officials.
Protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades were also banned. This followed such demonstrations outside government offices - including Mr Yanukovych's countryside residence - in recent days.Protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades were also banned. This followed such demonstrations outside government offices - including Mr Yanukovych's countryside residence - in recent days.
Party of the Regions MP Oleh Tsariov said the laws aimed to prevent further escalation of the ongoing political crisis.Party of the Regions MP Oleh Tsariov said the laws aimed to prevent further escalation of the ongoing political crisis.
But the three main opposition leaders described the move as "illegitimate", saying the pro-presidential MPs had decided to use voting by a show of hands after realising they did not have enough support.But the three main opposition leaders described the move as "illegitimate", saying the pro-presidential MPs had decided to use voting by a show of hands after realising they did not have enough support.
Udar party leader Vitali Klitschko condemned it as a "coup d'etat", while Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the leaders of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, warned that Ukraine was now bracing for another "wave of protests".Udar party leader Vitali Klitschko condemned it as a "coup d'etat", while Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the leaders of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, warned that Ukraine was now bracing for another "wave of protests".
In Washington, the US state department voiced its "deep concern" that the controversial measures had been passed.In Washington, the US state department voiced its "deep concern" that the controversial measures had been passed.
"Some of these measures will restrict the right to peacefully protest and exercise the freedom of speech, constrain independent media, and inhibit the operation of NGOs," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said."Some of these measures will restrict the right to peacefully protest and exercise the freedom of speech, constrain independent media, and inhibit the operation of NGOs," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
The new laws were also criticised by foreign ministers from Sweden and Poland.The new laws were also criticised by foreign ministers from Sweden and Poland.
The EU's ambassador to Ukraine, Jan Tombinsky, said "norms should be adopted through proper procedures, otherwise the credibility of democratic institutions and of the legal system is at stake".The EU's ambassador to Ukraine, Jan Tombinsky, said "norms should be adopted through proper procedures, otherwise the credibility of democratic institutions and of the legal system is at stake".
Earlier on Thursday, there were scuffles in parliament over a bill concerning the country's budget.Earlier on Thursday, there were scuffles in parliament over a bill concerning the country's budget.