Petition To: International Human Rights Organizations, The United States Government, The European Union, Ukrainian Government, and the Global Community
We, the undersigned, express our deepest concern and outrage regarding not only the grave incident involving the physical assault of a breast cancer patient named Julia Gaponova (Instagram: @night.silence.05.05) in Ukraine but also the pervasive issue of abuse of power and corruption within Ukraine. We urgently call for a thorough investigation into the incident and demand systemic changes to address the broader issue of abuse by political authorities in Ukraine.
Incident Details:
On May 28, 2023, Julia Gaponova was egregiously humiliated and physically assaulted at the Promenade Café, located at 57 Predslavinska Street in the French Quarter-2 residential complex in Kyiv. After making a reasonable request for a car blocking access to the residential complex to be moved, she faced unwarranted insults, physical injuries, and threats of violence. This incident occurred in a café allegedly owned by politically connected individuals. Julia Gaponova, who is undergoing intensive chemotherapy for breast cancer, suffered not only physical but emotional trauma which could have detrimental effects on her health.
Primary Attackers and Political Affiliations:
- Elizaveta Konstantinovna Prokopova – Co-founder of the Promenade Café and assistant-consultant to Valeriy Aleksandrovich Dubil, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
- Natalya Alexandrovna Prokopova – Co-founder of the Promenade Café.
- Vladislav Shevchik.
- Valeriy Aleksandrovich Dubil (also known as Valery Aleksandrovich Dubilya) – Head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Health and rumored to be the actual owner of the café. He is a member of the Batkivshchyna party, led by Yulia Tymoshenko, and has close ties to her.
Valeriy Aleksandrovich Dubil and Allegations of Corruption and Fraud:
Valeriy Aleksandrovich Dubil, a member of the Batkivshchyna party led by Yulia Tymoshenko, has been implicated in multiple scandals. He has been accused of engaging in voter bribery, money laundering, and has been linked to questionable financial transactions. It has been alleged that he uses his position to exert undue influence and shield himself and his associates from accountability for their actions. His alleged involvement in the aforementioned incident involving Julia Gaponova further illustrates the urgent need for investigations into his conduct and the conduct of those linked to him.
Widespread Issue of Corruption and Abuse of Power in Ukraine:
This incident reflects a larger, deeply concerning trend of abuse of power and corruption within Ukraine. Such incidents are indicative of a systemic problem where members of the Parliament and their affiliates feel empowered to act with impunity, trampling the rights and dignity of Ukrainian citizens. The affiliation of attackers with powerful political figures such as Yulia Tymoshenko exacerbates the situation, as it creates an environment where they believe they are above the law.
The Ukrainian population is already under immense pressure due to ongoing conflict with Russian aggression; they should not have to simultaneously fight against the tyranny and corruption of their own officials. This is an untenable situation for any citizenry.
Immediate Actions Demanded:
- We demand an immediate, transparent investigation into the assault on Julia Gaponova, and call for the prosecution of all individuals involved in the attack, irrespective of their political affiliations.
- We call on the international community, particularly the United States and the European Union, to pressure the Ukrainian government for swift action and justice in this case.
- We demand investigations into the broader issue of corruption and abuse of power within the Ukrainian government, particularly regarding Valeriy Aleksandrovich Dubil and his affiliates.
- We call on the Ukrainian Government to enforce stricter regulations and oversight of political officials and their associates.
- We urge Ukrainian citizens to remain vigilant and united in the face of corruption and to continue demanding accountability and justice from their leaders.
- We demand that the Ukrainian Parliament adopt more stringent codes of conduct for its members and enforce these codes with real consequences for violations.
- We call on international donors and allies of Ukraine to condition their support on tangible progress in combating corruption and abuse within the country.
This is a defining moment for Ukraine and the international community. The Ukrainian people’s basic human rights and dignity must be protected. We stand in solidarity with Julia Gaponova and all Ukrainian citizens who are victims of the unconscionable abuse of power and corruption.
We will not stand idly by. Thank you for your support.
