Ukraine Protesters Defy Amnesty Law

Ukrainian protesters remain camped out in downtown Kiev and still occupy key buildings despite the adopted Amnesty Law, photo EPA/BGNES

The President of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) Volodimir Ribak has signed into law the Amnesty Act, which was approved late Wednesday night.

The news was reported Thursday by the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS.

The President of the country, Viktor Yanukovych, must sign it as well, however, he is said to be on sick leave.

Protesters in Ukraine have already rejected the terms of the new amnesty law, which was hastily tabled with hopes it will end the months-long and relentless protests in the country.

The demonstrators oppose clauses mandating them to vacate the government buildings they had occupied and to unblock streets and squares.

The opposition has also rejected this and protesters remain camped out in downtown Kiev and still occupy key buildings.

The leader of the opposition party UDAR (Punch), boxing champ Vitali Klitschko, told crowds gathered in Independence Square in Kiev, that the fight would go on.

"I have the feeling that this man is trying to gain some time. But we will not allow to be cheated," said he.

The protests began in November after Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign an EU association agreement.

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