Ukrainian opposition party rejects amnesty bill for protesters
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/29/ukrainian-opposition-party-rejects-amnesty-bill-for-protesters/
Ukrainian opposition party rejects amnesty bill for protesters
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 18:00 EST
Ukraines opposition on Wednesday defiantly refused to back an amnesty bill that would free activists and ease the countrys worst crisis since independence, as Germany urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his sway to push for dialogue.
The amnesty bill was passed by parliament with the backing of the ruling Regions Party in a chaotic late night session, but opposition MPs refused to vote and it appears unlikely the law could mark any breakthrough in the standoff.
President Viktor Yanukovych has granted several concessions to protesters who have packed the centre of Kiev for the last two months, including accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. But the opposition want the head of state to go.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said after meeting Yanukovych that it was time for real dialogue to start and for the violence and intimidation to stop.