Timothy Snyder: The new dictatorship in Ukraine
A caricature of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (Bottom L) is left painted on a barrier as riot police stand guard in front of the presidential office during a protest rally by pro-European opposition groups in Kiev on January 17, 2014. The European Union and the United States expressed concern after the Ukrainian parliament passed laws to curb the right to protest, a move the opposition called a power grab. Western rights groups meanwhile denounced the bills passed today as an attempt by President Viktor Yanukovych to impose a \"dictatorship\" and called on him to veto the legislation. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY
On paper, Ukraine is now a dictatorship. President Viktor Yanukovych, in having the deputies of his Party of Regions endorse an extraordinary packet of legislation, has arrogated decisive political power to himself. After hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians spent weeks in the cold demonstrating for basic human rights and a stronger association with Europe, the president has responded with a violation of human rights and a rather sad imitation of Russia.
