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Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Calling for Release of Nadiya Savchenko

January 28, 2015

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), along with Reps. Sander Levin (D-MI), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), all members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot and Member of Ukraine's Parliament Nadiya Savchenko. This resolution is part of the global community's effort to bring attention to her plight and demand her immediate release.

"The unlawful imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko by the Russian government clearly illustrates that President Putin has no interest in resolving the ongoing violence and unrest that Russia continues to impose on the people of Ukraine." said Rep. Quigley. "Today's resolution makes clear: the American people stand with Ukraine and demand the immediate release of Ms. Savchenko."

"We continue to call on Russian authorities to immediately release Nadiya Savchenko from custody. We are gravely concerned by reports of her ill health since the commencement of a hunger strike on December 14, 2014, now into its seventh week," said Rep. Sander Levin. "We are equally troubled by Ms. Savchenko's lack of access to her counsel and adequate medical attention. We demand that Russia abide by its international obligations and the rule of law, and we join the United States Department of State in calling for Nadiya Savchenko's immediate release."

"The transnational abduction of Nadiya Savchenko by pro-Russian militants and subsequent unlawful detention in Russia is clear a violation of her human rights," said Rep. Bill Pascrell. "It is simply unacceptable that Nadiya Savchenko has been held in isolation awaiting her day in Russian court for seven months. The time is now for Russia to release Nadiya Savchenko and allow her to freely return to her family in Ukraine."

As a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and representing a robust Ukrainian population in Illinois' 5th Congressional District, Rep. Quigley is deeply invested in protecting Ukraine's sovereignty and stopping further Russian aggression toward Eastern Europe. Rep. Quigley made an official visit to Ukraine last April to assess U.S. efforts in the region and has repeatedly spoken out against the violence, most recently during a meeting of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Illinois Division. Rep. Quigley also led a bipartisan letter urging congressional leaders to invite Ukrainian President Petro O. Poroshenko to address a joint session of Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. in September 2014.

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