The ASPS Condemns Vile Acid Attack and Urges Protection for Activists

The Association of Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe (ASPS) condemnes the horrendous acid attack which led to the death of the Ukrainian local government politician and Human Rights activist Kateryna Handziuk in November 2018.

The ASPS which was meeting in Strasbourg for its annual General Assembly called for a thorough investigation of this cowardly crime and said those responsible should be brought to justice and punished.

33 year old Kateryna Handziuk, died from complications caused by the severe injuries inflicted on her by the sulphuric acid attack last July. Her case is one of many in Ukraine and elsewhere which are often not subject to a proper police investigation.

Kateryna was an alumni of the Ukrainian School of Political Studies with which she remained closely involved. At the time of the attack she was an advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and had already denounced serious cases of corruption in her region.

The ASPS called on the Authorities in Ukraine and in other Council of Europe countries to afford proper protection to human rights activists and whistleblowers and engage in a constructive dialogue with civil society.