Ukraine parliament repeals anti-protest laws after PM submits resignation

Ukraine’s parliament repealed controversial laws aimed at curbing political protests Tuesday, hours after the country’s Prime Minister submitted his resignation in a pair of moves aimed at calming violent unrest across the country.

In a statement that appeared on the Ukraine government’s website Mykola Azarov offered his resignation in order to encourage what he called “social-political compromise.” It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych had accepted Azarov’s resignation.

In recent days, Yanukovych had twice offered the post of Prime Minister to opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, with the latter man turning him down both times.

The twin moves were significant concessions to the protesters who have occupied the capital’s main square for two months and fought sporadically with police for the last 10 days.

Azarov’s statement came ahead of a special session of the Ukrainian parliament, during which a large majority of deputies voted to repeal the laws adopted January 16. In addition, Yanukovych said an amnesty for dozens of protesters arrested in the demonstrations would be implemented only if protesters leave the streets and vacate buildings that they have occupied. The parliament is to vote later Tuesday on the amnesty measure.

However, it was not likely that the protests would end without having other demands met, including Yanukovych’s resignation and the calling of early elections.

 

Fox News has the full article

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