“The Society of the Ukrainian Catholic University announces its support for civil disobedience against the President and his government, and stands with the people of the Yevromaydanom and – we believe – all the Ukrainian people. We seek the immediate resignation of the current government, the formation of the interim government and the declaration of early elections to create a new government with a fresh mandate from the people of Ukraine.” The full text of the statement is below.
Statement of the
Ukrainian Catholic University
on Civil Disobedience
Blood was again spilled in Kyiv last night. Berserk Brutal oppressors again came down against peaceful protesters. Thus, Human Rights Day turned into a day of mistreatment of peaceful people.
President Yanukovych refuseswon’t to learn. He won’t be swayed by anyone, nor stopped by anything. He and his government persist in their impunity and seeming display of strength. He has trampled even the smallest chance of dialogue still left him by his own people.
If it weren’t for the protesters’ heroic resistance, this terrifying night on the Euromaidan would have become an event of the order of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and Kristallnacht. After this night, to follow the orders and instructions of the authorities means going against human conscience. When dozens of perfectly innocent people were driven off, and tortured while still in police vans, President Yanukovych ceased to be president of Ukraine, while his accomplices ceased to be our nation’s government.
The community of the Ukrainian Catholic University hereby declares civil disobedience to the President and his government. We join the Euromaidan, and – we are certain – the entire Ukrainian people, in demanding immediate resignation of current authorities, the formation of an interim government, and early elections to all branches of government.
We appeal to all institutions of higher learning in Ukraine to adopt this, the only possible resolution.
We appeal to the international community to support the Ukrainian people not just in word, but in deed.
We bow our heads in profound admiration to the defenders of the Euromaidan. You have defended Ukraine’s dignity and honor, and we thank you.
Together with the Bishops of the Standing Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, “we pray to the Almighty for unity, peace, justice, and the victory of truth in our nation.
In these trials, may we be strengthened and upheld by the words of Jesus Christ spoken in all our churches this past Sunday: ‘Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole!’ (Luke 8:50).”
Adopted at the UCU General Assembly,
December 11, 2013