Congressman Pascrell initiates bipartisan letter Media Contact: Tom Pietrykoski (973) 523-5152/(973) 704-3736-c [email protected] Rep. Pascrell Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Secretary Kerry to Support Nadiya Savchenkos Release Former Ukrainian Air Force pilot illegally imprisoned by Russia for seven months WASHINGTON, DC – As supporters worldwide recognize Global Free Nadiya Savchenko Day, today U.S. Rep Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, led a bipartisan letter signed by 22 Members of Congress urging U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to intensify his efforts to seek Ms. Savchenko’s immediate release and public condemnation of her illegal imprisonment by Russia. “Russia’s actions betray their previous commitments and have derailed good faith efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine,” the legislators wrote. “It is imperative you utilize all diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Ms. Savchenko’s life and other illegally imprisoned Ukrainians immediate release. We respectfully urge you to intensify your public condemnation of her illegal imprisonment by Russia, and demand that she and the other illegally imprisoned Ukrainians be freed.” It has been over seven months since Nadiya Savchenko, a former Ukrainian Air Force pilot, Iraq War Veteran, Member of Ukraine’s Parliament and delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, was captured by Russian-backed militia in southeastern Ukraine and brought to Russia. Since being transnationaly abducted, Savchenko has been accused of helping kill two Russian journalists and held in isolation while she awaits her day in Russian court, which has been delayed. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and especially New Jersey’s Ukrainian American community, are extremely grateful to Congressman Pascrell for all of his efforts to help free MP Nadiya Savchenko,” said Tamara Olexy, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. “Her illegal abduction and subsequent imprisonment in Moscow is in clear violation of her human rights not to mention all international standards according to clause 5 of the September 5, 2014 Minsk Protocol, which calls for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons. We sincerely hope that the letter addressed to Secretary Kerry will implore the U.S. government to use all diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Savchenkos life and her immediate release. Signatories include U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Sander Levin (D-MI), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Steve Cohen (D-TN), David Joyce (R-OH), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chris Gibson (R-NY), John Larson (D-CT), and Brendan Boyle (D-PA). The full text of the letter is as follows: Dear Secretary Kerry, We write to urge you to strongly condemn Russia’s transnational abduction and the subsequent unlawful detention of Nadiya Savchenko, former Ukrainian Air Force pilot, Iraq War Veteran, Member of Ukraine’s Parliament and delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and do everything in your power to secure her immediate release. On June 18, 2014, Ms. Savchenko was captured by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine while carrying out her duty to defend her country. Eventually, she was transported to Russia, illegally detained under unsubstantiated charges, subjected to numerous interrogations by Russian authorities and denied access to her counsel. These actions are a clear violation of her human rights and international standards according to clause 5 of the September 5, 2014 Minsk Protocol, which called for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons. Subsequent to Russia’s actions and the decision to extend her arrest, Ms. Savchenko entered a hunger strike. We are deeply concerned for Ms. Savchenko’s health and wellbeing, as she is in solitary confinement and has been denied urgently-needed medical attention and communication with her legal counsel. Russia’s actions betray their previous commitments and have derailed good faith efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine. It is imperative you utilize all diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Ms. Savchenko’s life and other illegally imprisoned Ukrainians immediate release. We respectfully urge you to intensify your public condemnation of her illegal imprisonment by Russia, and demand that she and the other illegally imprisoned Ukrainians be freed. Sincerely, ### -- Tamara Olexy, President Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) 203 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003 Tel: 212.228.6840 ucca.org https://facebook/UCCA.org https://twitter/UkrCongComAm -- Liza Szonyi Donovan Assistant Director UCCA National Office 203 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10003 (212) 228-6840 ucca.org https://facebook/UCCA.org https://twitter/UkrCongComAm
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 21:58:51 +0000
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