Dear friends, An appeal to writers, translators, publishers, and journalists For the last twenty days peaceful protests

have been held in Ukraine to express the desire of our citizens to live in a democratic and law-based country. At first the protests were against the Ukrainian governments sudden and unexpected decision not to sign a long-anticipated Association Agreement with the European Union. This protest, which took place on Independence Square in central Kyiv, was dubbed Euromaidan. This protest was absolutely peaceful, with the only political demand being a call on the current government to sign the long-promised agreement with the EU. However overnight from the 29th to 30th of November the Ukrainian authorities violently attacked the protesters with Interior Ministry forces. Many people, including bystanders, were seriously injured. Some protesters disappeared. On the morning of December 1st a million people gathered in Kyiv to demand justice. The protesters encountered more police violence. The authorities refused to investigate well-documented instances of police brutality and instead filed criminal charges against injured protesters, who are being held for sixty days and face five to eight years of imprisonment. This prompted massive protests calling for the resignation of the government and accelerated parliamentary and presidential elections. The authorities refused to negotiate and on December 8 th a giant meeting of two million 400 hundred thousand people on Kyivs Euromaidan demanded the resignation of the president and the government. . Overnight from December 10th to 11th there was another attempt to crack down on the protests but the demonstrators held firm. The Ukrainian president, prime minister, and other officials have repeatedly promised every day to objectively investigate police violence but every night arrest protesters and attack demonstrations. Political repression has started. Police have searched the offices of opposition parties and the media and have filed criminal charges against journalists. No government or police officials have been called to account for their shameful and brutal actions against the demonstrations. We are witnessing a panicked government that has been completely discredited by its violent
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Publishers Forum, NGO P.O. Box 6644, Lviv 79005, Ukraine tel.: +38 032 276 46 94; fax: +38 032 276 41 52 e-mail: bookforum@bookforum.com.ua bookforum.ua

reaction to the demonstrations. It must be understood that the Ukrainian president and government have also been under severe pressure from Russia. All these factors are contributing to a deepening political crisis that may result in the declaration of a state of emergency by the government, leading to political repressions, the provocation of a civil war, and the dismemberment of our country. Currently all Ukrainian writers, musicians, artists, civic representatives, politicians, students, and ordinary citizens are bearing witness to the dramatic events on Euromaidan. They are present round the clock to prevent a massive crackdown by the authorities. Millions of citizens have emerged onto the streets of Ukrainian cities, citizens who are concerned about the future of their country and the future of their children. They are demanding the resignation of the government, a calling to account of the brutal actions of police officials, and the cessation of political repression. We are appealing to you in the hope you are not indifferent to the fate of the Ukrainian people. We believe you will not support the installation of a dictatorial regime in the heart of Europe, a regime that attacks its own citizens for their lawful and peaceful expression of political views and the desire to live in a democratic country based on the rule of law. We ask for your support in our struggle. We ask for your help in highlighting the events in Ukraine through all channels of mass and social media. We are calling on you to appeal to your governments to strongly condemn the actions of the Ukrainian government. Together we can make a difference. NGO Publishers Forum

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Publishers Forum, NGO P.O. Box 6644, Lviv 79005, Ukraine tel.: +38 032 276 46 94; fax: +38 032 276 41 52 e-mail: bookforum@bookforum.com.ua bookforum.ua