Special By By Justin King Jan 18, 2014 in World Kiev - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych used his party to push a series of sweeping laws through parliament barring almost all public dissent in the Eastern European nation. The new laws are seen as a Ukraine protesters sing the national anthem during a mass rally of the pro-Western opposition in Kiev's Independence Square, on January 12, 2014 Sergei Supinsky, AFP Among its measures, the law Any organizations, including churches, that receive money from abroad must register as “foreign agents.” An American journalist says he has been banned from Russia after he reported on mass protests against Ukraine's scrapping of an EU pact Sergei Supinsky, AFP/File Yanukovych’s new laws have caused dissension in his Party. His Chief of Staff, Serhiy Lyovochkin, Vika Andreiko, speaking through a translator, told Digital Journal These new laws will lead to widespread violence in Ukraine. Ukrainians will not tolerate another tyrant. A President from your country said those that prohibit peaceful revolution, make certain violent revolution will come. [John F. Kennedy said: “those that make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable.”] I don’t think Yanukovych understands how angry we are at his corruption. Andreiko fled Ukraine in 2006. Andreiko may be proven correct, as opposition parties have a big gathering in the capital Kiev on Sunday. The bill became law after a show of hands by the President’s loyal supporters, rather than an electronic and verifiable vote. The new law has caused outrage among opposition parties that claim the new laws are illegal and stating that this is the first step in a coup by the President’s party.The new laws are seen as a response to protesters who have encouraged major opposition to Yanukovych’s decision to ignore deals from the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. The law has been condemned by human rights groups.Among its measures, the law prohibits erecting tents in public, which became a necessity for protesters in many of the protests that went on for days recently. Blockading government offices, which is loosely defined in the new law, subjects protesters to prison sentences of 10 years. It also requires media companies to register with the government and demands passport identification for the purchase of mobile communications devices, in an attempt to end the anonymity of protesters. The law also makes it easier for the ruling party to prosecute any members of Parliament that back the protesters.Any organizations, including churches, that receive money from abroad must register as “foreign agents.” Slander of government officials has been made a criminal offense in a law written so broadly that almost all acts of journalism the government finds questionable qualify for punishment, and would be subject to prison terms.Yanukovych’s new laws have caused dissension in his Party. His Chief of Staff, Serhiy Lyovochkin, resigned in protest of the sweeping “draconian and anti-democratic” laws. Other members of the party are expected to follow.Vika Andreiko, speaking through a translator, told Digital JournalAndreiko fled Ukraine in 2006.Andreiko may be proven correct, as opposition parties have called for More about Ukraine, Protest, Russia, yanukovych, Victor Yanukovych Ukraine Protest Russia yanukovych Victor Yanukovych Law Latest News Top News