The DA and the Ukrainian version of democracy

Write to arglet@inl.co.za. Letters must contain full names, addresses and contact details (not for publication).

THE war for democracy in the Ukrainian conflict has been dealt another blow by the Ukrainian government.

After suspending 11 Ukrainian political parties for alleged Russian links in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a new law banning pro-Russian political parties.

Additionally, the Opposition Platform – For Life party was liquidated in the Ukrainian parliament.

Where in a democracy does a “democratic” government liquidate an opposition party and ban political parties for alleged dissenting views?

During the lockdown the DA was at times a welcome dissenting voice against certain aspects of the lockdown.

Under the circumstances with the country facing the threat of the coronavirus and the resulting deaths would the ANC government have been justified in suspending or liquidating the DA or any other dissenting political party?

In a truly democratic society, I think not. Yet we have a situation in which the Ukrainian state will continue to be described as democratic by the West and governments who engage in the same actions are labelled as authoritarian. The difference in description depends on if you are pro-West or anti-West.

Russia’s stated aim of de-nazifying Ukraine has been described as flimsy.

Under the circumstances describing the Ukrainian/Russian conflict as a fight for democracy also seems flimsy as Ukraine is becoming a mirror image of Russia which has been described as a totalitarian state under Vladimir Putin.

If the DA is interested in advancing democracy it should start at home as a Cape Town mosque had been issued with a letter describing the call to prayer as a noise nuisance.

It is hypocritical for the DA to talk about freedom and democracy in Ukraine but yet it continues to maintain by-laws which infringe upon Capetonians’ right to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Perhaps the DA is also in the business of shutting down dissenting noises. GHALIED GEDULDT | Maitland