page_title: Anti-protest laws in Ukraine
section_title: Provisions
hierarchical_section_title: Anti-protest laws in Ukraine / Provisions
context_page_description: The Ukrainian anti-protest laws are a group of ten laws restricting freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. The laws were passed by the Parliament of Ukraine on January 16, 2014, and signed into law by President Viktor Yanukovych the following day, amid massive anti-government protests that started in November. The laws are collectively known as the "dictatorship laws" by Euromaidan activists, non-governmental organizations, scholars, and the Ukrainian media.
  Western nations have criticised the laws for their undemocratic nature and their ability to significantly curb the rights to protest, free speech and the activity of non-governmental organisations. They have been described in the media and by experts as "draconian", with Timothy Snyder claiming that they effectively established the nation as a dictatorship. The laws were widely denounced internationally, with US Secretary of State John Kerry describing them as "anti-democratic".
  The laws were developed by MPs Vadym Kolesnychenko and Volodymyr Oliynyk from the ruling Party of Regions, and supported by a voting bloc consisting of the Party of Regions, the Communist Party and some independent MPs.
context_section_description: The laws have provisions such as:
  Criminalizing "extremist activity", which according to TI Ukraine is defined in "broad and vague terms", with a hefty fine for a first offence and up to three years in jail for a repeat offence.
  Simplifying the process of removal of parliamentary immunity during criminal proceedings to a majority vote in the Parliament. A prior review is no longer required by the Parliamentary committee;
  Extending and applying amnesty from prosecution previously adopted by the Parliament to those who committed crimes against protestors, including Berkut security forces and other law enforcement officials;
  Allowing trial in absentia of individuals, including prison terms in cases where the person refuses to appear in court when criminal proceedings in the absence of such person are pronounced possible;
  Simplifying procedures for serving summons and filing administrative protocols;
  Creating a penalty for blocking access to residential buildings of up to six years in jail;
  Drivers of motorcades of more than 5 cars, if they cause traffic jams, face the loss of their driver's license and vehicle for up to two years  (unless permission is obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs);
  Gathering and disseminating information about the Berkut, judges, or their respective families carries a penalty of up to 2 years in jail;
  Defamation, either by means of press or social media, carries a penalty of up to one year in jail;
  Law enforcement officials involved in similar activities and their families face a maximum prison term of six months;
  The penalty for blocking government buildings is up to five years in jail; that for blocking of entrance to a residence is up to three years of restriction of liberty
  Up to 15 days in jail for unauthorised installation of tents, stages and sound equipment;
  Anti-mask law with the provision of up to 15 days in jail for participation in peaceful gatherings wearing a mask, camouflage clothing, scarf, helmet, or other means of concealing or protecting one's face or head;
  Non-governmental organizations that accept foreign funds must register as "foreign agents" and face high scrutiny and additional tax measures;
  Mandatory licensing of Internet providers;
  Provisions for legal governmental Internet censorship;
  A broad definition of "extremist activities," which disallows Non-governmental organizations and churches from engaging in support of civil protests.
caption: Traffic disruption by motorcade of more than 5 cars can be punished by a disqualification of driver's license for 1–2 years and vehicle seizure