The daughter of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko told the EU parliament in Strasbourg today that more accusations are being levelled against her mother by president Viktor Yanukovich.
Yevgenia Tymoshenko also claimed the regime was making no attempt to address humanitarian abuses despite pressure from the international community.
MEPs were debating the situation in the former Soviet republic and will draft a new resolution which will be voted on later this week. Enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule said the parliament was very concerned about selective justice and corruption in the country.
"Politically motivated justice is systemic problem in Ukraine. Political relationships between Ukraine and the EU will not improve until necessary reform is undertaken and respect for human rightss is shown. Access to independent visitors by Ms Tymoshenko is very important if we are to build a clear picture of her situation," he said.
Parliament would be watching elections in October "very carefully". he said.
The former prime minister (51) was jailed for seven years last October for abuse of office after a trial the EU and US say was politically motivated.
Yevgenia Tymoshenko also said the government was trying to rig the upcoming parliamentary election in October, by arresting opposition candidates on trumped-up charges.
"They are trying to block opposition candidates in all regions in Ukraine. They are arresting them and thinking up absurd cases against them. It is dangerous for Ukraine," she said.
Ms Tymoshenko said there was ongoing falsification of information and misinformation about political prisoners by the regime.
"My mother was forcefully removed to hospital and beaten on April 20th. And they deny it. They are trying to manipulate the information they give to the public."
She said medical treatment was being denied to Yuri Lutsenko, a former Ukrainian interior minister and ally of her mother, who was jailed last month for embezzlement and abuse of office. The denial of treatment was "endangering his life", she said.
She said the delay into hearing her mother’s appeal against her sentence was “just an excuse" to avoid releasing political prisoners. "My mother wants us to keep up the pressure on the regime and its corruption. We need to tell the truth about political repressions in Ukraine. If it weren't for the support and awareness of the wider community, prisoners would be dead or isolated. Please continue the pressure," she said.
Some EU leaders have indicated they might boycott Euro 2012 football matches in Ukraine next month in protest at its treatment of Ms Tymoshenko.
Asked whether she would like to see a boycott of the tournament, her daughter said fans should go and "enjoy it" but said she was happy with a "political" boycott.
"High ranking officials are choosing not to go and shake his [Viktor Yanukovich's] hand. We are thankful of any support. We don't want to see sanctions on the country. We hope this can be resolved in a short time," she said.
Ukrainian authorities last week agreed to a suggestion by MEPs that medical experts from Europe be sent to treat Yulia Tymoshenko. Parliament also backed plans for a "high level monitor" to go to Ukraine to attend her appeal hearing.