This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25798320
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine crisis: Thousands challenge protest ban in Kiev | Ukraine crisis: Thousands challenge protest ban in Kiev |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tens of thousands of Ukrainian pro-EU demonstrators have gathered in the capital Kiev in defiance of new laws aimed at curbing public protests. | Tens of thousands of Ukrainian pro-EU demonstrators have gathered in the capital Kiev in defiance of new laws aimed at curbing public protests. |
| They braved freezing temperatures to pack into the city's Independence Square, with some sporting pots or colanders to mock a ban on helmets. | |
| The laws were passed on Thursday with a quick show of hands by MPs loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych. | The laws were passed on Thursday with a quick show of hands by MPs loyal to President Viktor Yanukovych. |
| The opposition accused Mr Yanukovych's ruling party of a coup. | The opposition accused Mr Yanukovych's ruling party of a coup. |
| The president signed the bills into law soon afterwards. | The president signed the bills into law soon afterwards. |
| One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets, among other restrictions. | One of the laws bans any unauthorised installation of tents, stages or amplifiers in public places. It also permits the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets, among other restrictions. |
| Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or prison. | Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or prison. |
| 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. |
| US and EU officials have expressed deep concern at the new legislation. | US and EU officials have expressed deep concern at the new legislation. |
| Action plan demand | Action plan demand |
| Sunday's rally began peacefully after scuffles the previous day between pro-EU protesters and Yanukovych supporters in the city. | Sunday's rally began peacefully after scuffles the previous day between pro-EU protesters and Yanukovych supporters in the city. |
| Opposition leaders are also under huge pressure to come up with an action plan, amid criticism from many activists that their campaign has been too passive. | Opposition leaders are also under huge pressure to come up with an action plan, amid criticism from many activists that their campaign has been too passive. |
| The protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades on the Euromaidan, as Independence Square has been dubbed, for nearly two months. | The protesters have been camping out behind extensive barricades on the Euromaidan, as Independence Square has been dubbed, for nearly two months. |
| 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 an EU deal under heavy pressure from Russia 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. |
| 'Illegitimate' laws | 'Illegitimate' laws |
| Among the laws is a ban on protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades. This followed such demonstrations outside government offices - including Mr Yanukovych's countryside residence - in recent days. | Among the laws is a ban on protests involving more than five vehicles in "Automaidan" motorcades. 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 were in line with European standards and aimed at preventing further escalation of the political crisis. | Party of the Regions MP Oleh Tsariov said the laws were in line with European standards and aimed at preventing further escalation of the political crisis. |
| But the opposition said the bills were "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 opposition said the bills were "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 the move as a "coup", 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 the move as a "coup", while Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the leaders of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, warned that Ukraine was now bracing for another "wave of protests". |
| EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said he was "profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms". | EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said he was "profoundly concerned by new legislation limiting freedoms". |
| The move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations", he said, and its commitments in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November. | The move contradicted Ukraine's "European aspirations", he said, and its commitments in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which President Yanukovych abruptly refused to sign in November. |
| Instead, the Ukrainian leader promised to rebuild economic ties with Moscow. Shortly afterwards Russia cut the price of its gas supplies to Ukraine by almost a third and bought $15bn (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) in Ukrainian government bonds. | Instead, the Ukrainian leader promised to rebuild economic ties with Moscow. Shortly afterwards Russia cut the price of its gas supplies to Ukraine by almost a third and bought $15bn (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) in Ukrainian government bonds. |
| After defeat in the 2004 Orange Revolution, Mr Yanukovych was democratically elected president in 2010. Analysts expect him to stand for office again at the next election, just over a year away. | After defeat in the 2004 Orange Revolution, Mr Yanukovych was democratically elected president in 2010. Analysts expect him to stand for office again at the next election, just over a year away. |
| Are you in Kiev? Are you taking part in the rally? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in Kiev? Are you taking part in the rally? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |