More than two dozen members of the Labor Party, the Order and Justice Party, and the Social Democratic Party have registered a draft resolution to that effect with the Seimas secretariat.
According to the document, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly has adopted a resolution, expressing concern over the application of Soviet-era laws in the Tymoshenko case, which allow criminal prosecution for political reasons. The draft also recalls the ruling handed down by the European Court of Human Rights in April, which said that Tymoshenko's pre-trial detention was unlawful and its legitimacy was not properly reviewed, her freedom was restricted and she was not allowed to receive compensation for the unlawful imprisonment.
The Lithuanian parliament is asked to point out the necessity of ensuring respect to human rights, democracy and legal principles in Ukraine, which seeks European integration, and to urge Ukraine to release Tymoshenko.
"(The Seimas) urges the government of Ukraine to release former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in line with the verdict of April 2013 of the European Court of Human Rights, which suggests that the accusations are politicized and selective," reads the draft resolution.
Furthermore, the Lithuanian parliamentarians suggest that member-states should "continue considering the release of Yulia Tymoshenko as one of the key criteria for signing the Association Agreement with Ukraine during the Eastern Partnership summit that will take place in Vilnius in November."
Lithuania is currently holding EU Council presidency and will host the Eastern Partnership summit on November 28-29.
