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{{short description|Political party in Ukraine}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox political party {{Infobox political party
| country= Ukraine | country = Ukraine
| party_name = Spilna Sprava | name = Spilna Sprava Civil Movement
| name_native = Громадянський рух «Спільна справа» | native_name = Громадянський рух «Спільна справа»<br> Гражданское движение «Спильна справа»
| party_logo = ] | logo = ]
| leader = Oleksandr Danylyuk | leader = ]
| foundation = {{start date|2010|12}} | foundation = {{start date|2010|12}}
| ideology = center/left | ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
]|Anti-] (before 2014)
| position = radical
}}
| international =
| slogan = "Держава - понад партії, нація - понад класами"<br>"Государство – сверх партий, нация – сверх классов"<small>("The state above parties, the nation above classes")</small>
| colours =
| flag = Flag_of_Spilna_Sprava.svg
⚫ | colorcode =
| colours = {{color box|#FEED01|border=darkgray}} ] and {{color box|#02A7EE|border=darkgray}} ]<br>(])
| headquarters =
⚫ | colorcode = #02A7EE
| website = http://www.spilnasprava.info/ | website = http://www.spilnasprava.info/
}} }}


'''Spilna Sprava''' ({{lang-uk|Спільна справа}}, {{lang-en|Common Cause}}) is a ]ian opposition group, which came into existence in December 2010 during the ] (22 November - 2 December 2010) in Kiev against the fiscal policies of the ].<ref>{{uk icon}} (Spilna Sprava started to register election observers for Tariff Union referendum), ''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty'', 8 September 2013.</ref><ref name=BBCRSSpPr>, ] (1 February 2014)</ref> It advocates self-government, people's control over parliament between elections, and fiscal reform.<ref>{{uk icon}} , Official site. Accessed 5 May 2014.</ref> As a political pressure group, embraces non-parliamentary means of political mobilization; along with the ] formed a radical wing of the ]. The usage of upside-down national colors symbolize national emergency, protest and call for action.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 18 December 2014.</ref><!--This is a venerable international practice, see, f.e.: --> '''Spilna Sprava''' ({{langx|uk|Спільна справа|lit=common cause', 'common issue}}, ]: Спильна справа «Общее дело») is a political party in ] registered on 19 March 2015, though active since late 2010. The name of the organisation, taken from Latin ''],'' indicates the republican nature of the movement, as well as symbolises the active civic solidarity of Ukrainians. It was founded in December 2010, during the ] protests against the fiscal policies of ].<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (Spilna Sprava started to register election observers for Tariff Union referendum), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8 September 2013.</ref><ref name=BBCRSSpPr>, ] (1 February 2014)</ref>


Spilna Sprava has advocated for free and fair parliamentary and local elections, people's control over the ] (the parliament of Ukraine) between elections, and fiscal reform.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505080151/http://www.spilnasprava.com/wp/?page_id=2732 |date=2014-05-05}}, ''Official site''. Accessed 5 May 2014.</ref> As a political pressure group, Spilna Sprava embraced non-parliamentary means of political mobilisation, and, along with the ultranationalist ], formed the radical wing of protesters during ]. The usage of reversed national colours in the party's flag represent a political standpoint, and symbolise national emergency, protest and call for action.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 18 December 2014.</ref><!--This is a venerable international practice, see, f.e.: -->
== History ==
⚫ In December 2010, Spilna Sprava tried to implement a national referendum about discontinuing of the electoral mandates of the members of the ] of Ukraine and peaceful removal of ] from power, whom Spilna Sprava accused in dictatorial ways of running the country.<ref>{{uk icon}} (Oleksandr Danylyuk: We have understanding that elections will take place on 27 March), 13 December 2010.</ref> After referendum was denied, an electronic signature-gathering started.<ref>{{uk icon}} (Spilna Sprava started a signature-gathering campaign to discontinue the parliamentary mandates and remove the president from power), 10 April 2011.</ref> It was claimed by the Spilna Sprava, that on 12 April 2011 nearly 250 000 signatures were collected.
<ref>{{ru icon}} , (Maidan organizers collected 250 000 signatures in support of Yanukovich removal) ''Tsn.ua'', 12 April 2011.</ref>


== Early history ==
In Spring 2011, Spilna Sprava attempted on 14 May 2011 to stage a number of protests across cities in Ukraine culminating with the Indignation Day (Day of Anger) in Kiev - a massive rally at the Presidential Administration and Verhovna Rada buildings.<ref>{{uk icon}} (Day of Anger is scheduled on 14 May), ''Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service)'', 12 April 2011.</ref> The rally failed as 300-400 protesters were confronted by nearly 1,500 riot police officers.
⚫ In December 2010, Spilna Sprava tried to implement a national referendum about discontinuing of the electoral mandates of the members of the ] and the peaceful removal of ] ] from power, whom Spilna Sprava accused of authoritarianism in running the country.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (Oleksandr Danylyuk: We have understanding that elections will take place on 27 March), 13 December 2010.</ref> After the referendum was denied, an electronic signature-gathering campaign began.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (Spilna Sprava started a signature-gathering campaign to discontinue the parliamentary mandates and remove the president from power), 10 April 2011.</ref> It was claimed by Spilna Sprava that, by 12 April 2011, nearly 250,000 signatures had been collected.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} , (Maidan organizers collected 250 000 signatures in support of Yanukovych removal) ''Tsn.ua'', 12 April 2011.</ref>


In Summer 2011, Spilna Sprava tried to jump-start a new anti-government Maidan in Kiev on 8 August 2011, however, without much effect.<ref>{{uk icon}} (Mobilization is declared!!!), ''Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service)'', 5 August 2011.</ref> On 14 May 2011, Spilna Sprava attempted to stage a number of protests across cities in Ukraine culminating with the Indignation Day (Day of Anger) in Kyiv: Massive demonstrations and rallies at the ] and ] buildings.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (Day of Anger is scheduled on 14 May), ''Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service)'', 12 April 2011.</ref> The anti-government protest in Kyiv failed, as 300-400 protesters were confronted by nearly 1,500 riot police officers.


On 8 August 2011, Spilna Sprava tried unsuccessfully to start new anti-government protests, but met with little reaction from Ukrainian society as a whole.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (Mobilization is declared!!!), ''Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service)'', 5 August 2011.</ref>
⚫ During the ] Spilna Sprava organized an independent monitoring of the pre-election situation and vote casting. It claimed at a press conference on 31 October 2012 after the elections that significant vote fraud was uncovered in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy regions of Ukraine.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 1 November 2012.</ref>


⚫ During the ], Spilna Sprava organized an independent monitoring of the pre-election situation and vote casting. It claimed at a press conference on 31 October 2012, after the elections, that significant vote fraud had been uncovered in the ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] of Ukraine.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 1 November 2012.</ref>
⚫ In 2013, Spilna Sprava along with the major Ukrainian opposition factions staged a number of rallies and demonstrations in Kiev and beyond, such as at Kyiv's Saint Sofia Square on May 18, which was dispersed by ] officers.<ref>Kostyantyn Chernichkin. , ''Kyiv Post'', 18 May 2013.</ref> Several Spilna Sprava activists were detained.<ref> ''Human Rights in Ukraine'': Information website of the ] (18 May 2013). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref>


⚫ In 2013, Spilna Sprava, along with major Ukrainian opposition factions, staged a number of rallies and demonstrations in Kyiv and elsewhere, including, at Kyiv's Saint Sofia Square on 18 May. The rally was dispersed by ] forces.<ref>Kostyantyn Chernichkin. , ''Kyiv Post'', 18 May 2013.</ref> Several Spilna Sprava activists were detained.<ref> ''Human Rights in Ukraine'': Information website of the ] (18 May 2013). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref>
⚫ The groups leader (coordinator) is ],<ref name=”Robles-Voice-4may”>John Robles, ''The Voice of Russia'' (3 May 2014, 00:48). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref> a lawyer, rights activist and a poet, who was earlier involved in campaigns against former ] ] and later ] ], as well as in the 2004 ].<ref name=BBCRSSpPr/><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', November 25, 2010.</ref> He describes Spilna Sprava as a "pro-democracy civil movement",<ref>Daniel McLaughlin. , ''The Irish Times'', 28 January 2014.</ref> and at the same time advocates radical actions for demolishing the corrupted system of power in Ukraine.<ref>{{ru-icon}} (Danylyuk: «The only possible way to change power - is revolution. Since wiseguys would not part voluntarily with power»). ''Левый берег'', 10 June 2011.</ref> On 3 February 2014, Danylyuk reportedly arrived in ] fleeing from an alleged imminent arrest in Ukraine after an arrest warrant was issued.<ref> ''Euronews'' (3 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref><ref>, ''The Voice of Russia'', 6 February 2014.</ref><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 3 February 2014.</ref> He later returned to Kiev after the fall of Yanukovych's administration.

⚫ The group's leader is ],{{cn|date=May 2023}} a lawyer, human rights activist and poet who was earlier involved in campaigns against former President ] and ] ], as well as in the 2004 ].<ref name=BBCRSSpPr /><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', November 25, 2010.</ref> Danylyuk has described Spilna Sprava as a "pro-democracy civil movement",<ref>Daniel McLaughlin. , ''The Irish Times'', 28 January 2014.</ref> though he has also advocated for radical action to oppose corruption in Ukraine.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} (Danylyuk: «The only possible way to change power – is revolution. Since wiseguys would not part voluntarily with power»). ''Левый берег'', 10 June 2011.</ref> On 3 February 2014, Danylyuk reportedly arrived in ] fleeing an imminent arrest in Ukraine after an arrest warrant was issued.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221220152/http://euronews.com/2014/02/03/protesters-in-kyiv-show-no-sign-of-moving-as-yanukovych-returns-to-work |date=21 February 2014 }} ''Euronews'' (3 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 3 February 2014.</ref> He later returned to Kyiv after the fall of Viktor Yanukovych's administration on 22 February 2014.


== Euromaidan == == Euromaidan ==
] ]
]
] ]
During the anti-government ] in Ukraine in 2014, the Spilna Sprava formed a radical faction of the Euromaidan protest movement, while acting independently from the Euromaidan leadership. It maintained several tents and recruitment booths at Euromaidan displaying group's distinctive banners and flags. During the anti-government ] in Ukraine in 2014, Spilna Sprava formed a radical faction of the Euromaidan protest movement, while acting independently from Euromaidan leadership. It maintained several tents and recruitment booths at Euromaidan displaying group's distinctive ].


As an offence-oriented force, Spilna Sprava refused cooperation with the main oppositional political actors, accusing them in hidden collaboration with Yanukovych and secret plans to undermine Maidan.<ref>Yuras Karmanau, ''Associated Press'' (2 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref> It successfully mobilized across the political spectrum recruiting an unwieldy assortment of common people, rights activists, right-wing radicals, military veterans (the Afgantsy), soccer hooligans and street toughs, who were eager to spring to action instead of standing at rallies.<ref>Dominique Arel, : Remarks delivered at the round-table "Ukraine on the rise", ''Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Ottawa'' (29 January 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref> As a direct action-oriented group, Spilna Sprava refused cooperation with the moderate oppositional political actors, accusing them in hidden collaboration with Viktor Yanukovych and secret plans to undermine Euromaidan.<ref>Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press (2 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref> It successfully mobilised across the political spectrum, recruiting an unwieldy assortment of political radicals which included common people, veteran activists, veterans of the ], football hooligans and street thugs.<ref>Dominique Arel, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502005229/http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/sites/default/files/public/ukraine/eng/images/the_ukrainian_rebellion.pdf |date=2014-05-02}}: Remarks delivered at the round-table "Ukraine on the rise", Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Ottawa (29 January 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.</ref>]Spilna Sprava militants dressed in fatigues, wore ski masks, and brandished bats, stun guns, knives and Molotov cocktails, and willingly took part in street fights with riot police.<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs">Simon & Schuster. , ''Time Magazine'', 28 January 2014.</ref> Law enforcement officers also engaged militants on multiple occasions. The office of public liaison of the ] reported on 31 January 2014 that two armed Spilna Sprava militants with the intention of harming police officers were arrested.<ref>, Interfax-Ukraine, 3 February 2014.</ref>


⚫ Spilna Sprava came to international prominence after its members seized several key governmental buildings in Kyiv in February 2014, including the ],<ref name="Ministry of Justice (Ukraine)">Christopher J. Miller, Katya Gorchinskaya. , ''Kyiv Post'', 27 January 2014.</ref> ],<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 29 January 2014.</ref> and ] (the lattermost for only a few hours, purportedly just to show that it could take control of any government office building if it so desired) during Euromaidan.<ref name="BBCRSSpPr" />
Spilna Sprava militants dressed in fatigues, wore ski masks, and brandished bats, stun guns, knives and Molotov cocktails and eagerly took part in fights with the police.<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs">Simon Shuster. , ''Time Magazine'', 28 January 2014.</ref> The law enforcement was also eager to return the favor, for example, on January 31 2014, the office of public liaison of the ] reported that two armed Spilna Sprava militants were arrested. One, "thirty-year-old Vitaliy came to Kyiv from ] region and hoped to make good money on the Maidan. According to him, he immediately joined one of the units on the condition of receiving UAH 200 per day of 'work.' A young man was responsible for guarding the tents and participating in mass events, rallies, etc. He got a 'flintlock' from one of his companions to shoot at police officers who are on duty on ], but says that he has not yet used the weapons," the other, "his 45-year-old fellow also actively participated in protests, and, on the side of the members of the Spilna Sprava movement, and even protected the Agriculture Ministry from Svoboda supporters." "The man said that he saw many people on the Maidan have various weapons. He received the gun seized from law enforcement officers from the chief of his unit," according to the police report.<ref>, ''Interfax-Ukraine'', 3 February 2014.</ref>


⚫ Activists from Spilna Sprava also stormed and seized the five-storey ] convention centre in Kyiv, where a large detachment of the ], mostly inexperienced conscripts, had been stationed. Spilna Sprava militants threatened them with ]s. "The younger guys wanted to flood the floor with gasoline and burn alive," Oleksiy Tsibko, a participant in the Ukrainian House's storming later said. However, following a tense standoff lasting several hours, the protesters formed a corridor and allowed the Internal Troops to leave. The Ukrainian House later became a base of operations for protesters, with a mess-hall, hospital, sleeping quarters, and meeting room. Tsibko added that Soviet–Afghan War veterans were ready to use firearms, saying that they felt that "the battle is already underway, and if fire so much as one live round into one of our guys, we have enough to respond in kind. Believe me, it won't just be a couple of hundred who lay down dead when it's over."<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs" />
⚫ Spilna Sprava came to the prominence after its members seized in February 2014 several key governmental buildings in Kiev: the ],<ref name="Ministry of Justice (Ukraine)">Christopher J. Miller, Katya Gorchinskaya. , ''Kyiv Post'', 27 January 2014.</ref> ],<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 29 January 2014.</ref> and ] (just for a few hours on 25 January, purportedly just to show that it could take control any governmental building if it wanted) during the ] protests.<ref name=BBCRSSpPr/>


⚫ The ] stated that it had voluntarily removed its police force instead of risking a bloody confrontation with rioting members from Spilna Sprava.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 26 January 2014.</ref> On several occasions, Spilna Sprava clashed with ], which sought to rein them in and forcibly evicted them from several locations.<ref name="BBCRSSpPr" />
⚫ Militants from Spilna Sprava also stormed and seized the International Convention Center «Ukrainian House» where a large detachment of the Ukrainian interior troops, mostly inexperienced conscripts, had been stationed, whom they threatened to burn alive with Molotov cocktails: "The younger guys wanted to flood the floor with gasoline and burn alive," - said Oleksiy Tsibko, who participated in the operation, in an interview. But after a tense standoff lasting several hours, the protesters formed a corridor and let the internal troops out. The whole building was afterward turned into Euromaidan "fortress", with mess-hall, hospital, sleeping quarters, and a club house. Tsibko added that the Afgantsy were ready to use firearms as "the battle is already underway. And if fire so much as one live round into one of our guys, we have enough to respond in kind. Believe me, it won’t just be a couple of hundred who lay down dead when its over".<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs"/>

⚫ The Interior Ministry of Ukraine stated that it had voluntarily removed its police force instead of risking a bloody confrontation with rioting members from the Spilna Sprava.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 26 January 2014.</ref> On several occasions Spilna Sprava clashed with the self-defense forces of the Euromaidan, which tried to rein them in and forcibly evicted from several locations.<ref name=BBCRSSpPr/>


== Criticism == == Criticism ==
⚫ ]
⚫ Spilna Sprava was accused by Ukrainian opposition leaders of sowing and reaping the seeds of discord inside the protest movement, and in staging "provocations" that could have undermined the on-going talks with Ukrainian President ] and ]. Indeed, attacks on government offices could have served as a pretext for imposing a ] in Ukraine.<ref name=BBCRSSpPr/> Indeed, the Ukrainian Justice Minister ] delivered a televised address, arguing for the introduction of martial law in the country after the Ministry of Justice seizure.<ref name="Ministry of Justice (Ukraine)"/> European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy ] warned about dangers of radicalization of the peaceful protest movement of Euromaidan, and ], the ] leader, personally came to the Justice Ministry and asked Spilna Sprava activists to retreat from the building but they instead called him names and turned him down.<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs"/><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 5 February 2014.</ref> On the other hand, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky was able to negotiate an end to the seizure of the ministry's building by Spilna Sprava militants, arguing that its continuation may disrupt the work of the ministry, including the oversight of Ukraine's nuclear power stations.<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 25 January 2014.</ref>
Spilna Sprava was accused by other Euromaidan leaders of sowing and reaping the seeds of discord inside the protest movement, and in staging "provocations" that could have undermined the ongoing talks with President Viktor Yanukovych and the ]. Attacks on government offices were considered a possible pretext for imposing martial law in Ukraine, with Justice Minister ] arguing in a televised address for the introduction of martial law in the country after the Ministry of Justice building was seized.<ref name="BBCRSSpPr" /><ref name="Ministry of Justice (Ukraine)" />


⚫ European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy ] warned about the dangers of radicalization of the peaceful protest movement of Euromaidan, and ], leader of the ], personally came to the Justice Ministry and asked Spilna Sprava activists to retreat from the building. The activists, however, refused, as well as calling Klitschko names.<ref name="Right-Wing Thugs" /><ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 5 February 2014.</ref> Conversely, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky was able to negotiate an end to the seizure of the ministry's building by Spilna Sprava militants, arguing that its continuation may disrupt the work of the ministry, including the oversight of ].<ref>, ''Kyiv Post'', 25 January 2014.</ref>
⚫ ]
⚫ During the Euromaidan, relations between Spilna Sprava and ] ] were especially tense and mistrustful as Svoboda's activists threatened Spilna Sprava's militants with stun guns while forcing them out of the Ministry of Agriculture.<ref>Oleg Shynkarenko. , ''The Daily Beast'', 30 January 2014.</ref> Reportedly six activists from Spilna Sprava were injured.<ref>, ''The Moscow Times'', 29 January 2014.</ref> Tensions between two factions started at the beginning of the Euromaidan during the police siege of the seized by protesters Kiev City Hall on December 11, 2013. When Spilna Sprava activists left the building to confront the riot police in the street, they were locked out by Svoboda militants and later accused of running away from the fight. To add salt to the injury, both riot policemen and Spilna Sprava activists were sprayed in a chilling December wind from a fire hose out of the second-floor window.<ref>Andrew E. Kramer. , ''The New York Times'', 16 December 2013.</ref> The relationship did not improve much after the victory of Euromaidan and removal of ] from power, for example, on 29 April 2014, self-defense of Euromaidan, which is mainly controlled by Svoboda, tried to disperse a torch rally procession in Kiev staged by the Spilna Sprava and the ] in commemoration of the Euromaidan fallen heroes;<ref>{{uk icon}} (A torch rally procession in commemoration of the Euromaidan fallen heroes) Photos. </ref> a massive fist fight near ] flared up.<ref>{{uk icon}} (A fist fight at the Kiev's Maidan), ''Дзеркало тижня'', 29 April 2014.</ref>


⚫ During Euromaidan, relations between Spilna Sprava and Ukrainian nationalist party ] were especially tense and mistrustful, with Svoboda activists threatening Spilna Sprava militants with stun guns and forcing them out of the Ministry of Agriculture.<ref>Oleg Shynkarenko. , ''The Daily Beast'', 30 January 2014.</ref> Six activists from Spilna Sprava were reportedly injured in the confrontation.<ref>, ''The Moscow Times'', 29 January 2014.</ref> Tensions between the two groups began at the beginning of Euromaidan, during the police siege of the seized ] building on 11 December 2013. When Spilna Sprava activists left the building to confront riot police in the street, they were locked out by Svoboda militants, and later accused of fleeing the scene. Further deteriorating relations, both riot policemen and Spilna Sprava activists were sprayed in a chilling December wind from a fire hose out of the second-floor window.<ref>Andrew E. Kramer. , ''The New York Times'', 16 December 2013.</ref> Svoboda-Spilna Sprava relations following the success of Euromaidan and Yanukovych's flight from Ukraine, however, remained tense. In one incident, on 29 April 2014, the "Self-Defence of Maidan" tried to disperse a torch rally procession in Kyiv staged by Spilna Sprava and the ] in commemoration of protesters killed during Euromaidan, resulting in a large brawl near ].<ref>{{in lang|uk}} (A torch rally procession in commemoration of the Euromaidan fallen heroes) Photos. </ref><ref>{{in lang|uk}} (A fist fight at the Kyiv's Maidan), ''Дзеркало тижня'', 29 April 2014.</ref>
⚫ ==References==

⚫ == References ==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category|Spilna Sprava (Common Cause)}} {{Commons category|Spilna Sprava (Common Cause)}}
* *
* *

{{Euromaidan}} {{Euromaidan}}


] ]
]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 10:48, 17 November 2024

Political party in Ukraine

Spilna Sprava Civil Movement Громадянський рух «Спільна справа»
Гражданское движение «Спильна справа»
Громадянський рух «Спільна справа»
LeaderOleksandr Danylyuk
FoundedDecember 2010 (2010-12)
Ideology
Colours  Yellow and   blue
(Flag of Ukraine)
Slogan"Держава - понад партії, нація - понад класами"
"Государство – сверх партий, нация – сверх классов"("The state above parties, the nation above classes")
Party flag
Website
http://www.spilnasprava.info/

Spilna Sprava (Ukrainian: Спільна справа, lit. 'common cause', 'common issue', Russian: Спильна справа «Общее дело») is a political party in Ukraine registered on 19 March 2015, though active since late 2010. The name of the organisation, taken from Latin Res publica, indicates the republican nature of the movement, as well as symbolises the active civic solidarity of Ukrainians. It was founded in December 2010, during the Tax Maidan-2010 protests against the fiscal policies of Viktor Yanukovych.

Spilna Sprava has advocated for free and fair parliamentary and local elections, people's control over the Verkhovna Rada (the parliament of Ukraine) between elections, and fiscal reform. As a political pressure group, Spilna Sprava embraced non-parliamentary means of political mobilisation, and, along with the ultranationalist Right Sector, formed the radical wing of protesters during Euromaidan. The usage of reversed national colours in the party's flag represent a political standpoint, and symbolise national emergency, protest and call for action.

Early history

In December 2010, Spilna Sprava tried to implement a national referendum about discontinuing of the electoral mandates of the members of the Verkhovna Rada and the peaceful removal of President Viktor Yanukovych from power, whom Spilna Sprava accused of authoritarianism in running the country. After the referendum was denied, an electronic signature-gathering campaign began. It was claimed by Spilna Sprava that, by 12 April 2011, nearly 250,000 signatures had been collected.

On 14 May 2011, Spilna Sprava attempted to stage a number of protests across cities in Ukraine culminating with the Indignation Day (Day of Anger) in Kyiv: Massive demonstrations and rallies at the Presidential Administration and Verkhovna Rada buildings. The anti-government protest in Kyiv failed, as 300-400 protesters were confronted by nearly 1,500 riot police officers.

On 8 August 2011, Spilna Sprava tried unsuccessfully to start new anti-government protests, but met with little reaction from Ukrainian society as a whole.

During the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election, Spilna Sprava organized an independent monitoring of the pre-election situation and vote casting. It claimed at a press conference on 31 October 2012, after the elections, that significant vote fraud had been uncovered in the Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy Oblasts of Ukraine.

In 2013, Spilna Sprava, along with major Ukrainian opposition factions, staged a number of rallies and demonstrations in Kyiv and elsewhere, including, at Kyiv's Saint Sofia Square on 18 May. The rally was dispersed by Berkut forces. Several Spilna Sprava activists were detained.

The group's leader is Oleksandr Danylyuk, a lawyer, human rights activist and poet who was earlier involved in campaigns against former President Leonid Kuchma and Mayor of Kyiv Leonid Chernovetskyi, as well as in the 2004 Orange Revolution. Danylyuk has described Spilna Sprava as a "pro-democracy civil movement", though he has also advocated for radical action to oppose corruption in Ukraine. On 3 February 2014, Danylyuk reportedly arrived in London fleeing an imminent arrest in Ukraine after an arrest warrant was issued. He later returned to Kyiv after the fall of Viktor Yanukovych's administration on 22 February 2014.

Euromaidan

Spilna Sprava's tent at Euromaidan
A masked Spilna Sprava activist

During the anti-government Euromaidan in Ukraine in 2014, Spilna Sprava formed a radical faction of the Euromaidan protest movement, while acting independently from Euromaidan leadership. It maintained several tents and recruitment booths at Euromaidan displaying group's distinctive political symbols.

As a direct action-oriented group, Spilna Sprava refused cooperation with the moderate oppositional political actors, accusing them in hidden collaboration with Viktor Yanukovych and secret plans to undermine Euromaidan. It successfully mobilised across the political spectrum, recruiting an unwieldy assortment of political radicals which included common people, veteran activists, veterans of the Soviet–Afghan War, football hooligans and street thugs.

A Spilna Sprava militant at the Ministry of Justice after its capture by protesters

Spilna Sprava militants dressed in fatigues, wore ski masks, and brandished bats, stun guns, knives and Molotov cocktails, and willingly took part in street fights with riot police. Law enforcement officers also engaged militants on multiple occasions. The office of public liaison of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported on 31 January 2014 that two armed Spilna Sprava militants with the intention of harming police officers were arrested.

Spilna Sprava came to international prominence after its members seized several key governmental buildings in Kyiv in February 2014, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Energy (the lattermost for only a few hours, purportedly just to show that it could take control of any government office building if it so desired) during Euromaidan.

Activists from Spilna Sprava also stormed and seized the five-storey Ukrainian House convention centre in Kyiv, where a large detachment of the Internal Troops of Ukraine, mostly inexperienced conscripts, had been stationed. Spilna Sprava militants threatened them with Molotov cocktails. "The younger guys wanted to flood the floor with gasoline and burn alive," Oleksiy Tsibko, a participant in the Ukrainian House's storming later said. However, following a tense standoff lasting several hours, the protesters formed a corridor and allowed the Internal Troops to leave. The Ukrainian House later became a base of operations for protesters, with a mess-hall, hospital, sleeping quarters, and meeting room. Tsibko added that Soviet–Afghan War veterans were ready to use firearms, saying that they felt that "the battle is already underway, and if fire so much as one live round into one of our guys, we have enough to respond in kind. Believe me, it won't just be a couple of hundred who lay down dead when it's over."

The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that it had voluntarily removed its police force instead of risking a bloody confrontation with rioting members from Spilna Sprava. On several occasions, Spilna Sprava clashed with self-defense forces, which sought to rein them in and forcibly evicted them from several locations.

Criticism

Kyiv City Hall on 11 December 2013

Spilna Sprava was accused by other Euromaidan leaders of sowing and reaping the seeds of discord inside the protest movement, and in staging "provocations" that could have undermined the ongoing talks with President Viktor Yanukovych and the Second Azarov government. Attacks on government offices were considered a possible pretext for imposing martial law in Ukraine, with Justice Minister Olena Lukash arguing in a televised address for the introduction of martial law in the country after the Ministry of Justice building was seized.

European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle warned about the dangers of radicalization of the peaceful protest movement of Euromaidan, and Vitali Klitschko, leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform, personally came to the Justice Ministry and asked Spilna Sprava activists to retreat from the building. The activists, however, refused, as well as calling Klitschko names. Conversely, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky was able to negotiate an end to the seizure of the ministry's building by Spilna Sprava militants, arguing that its continuation may disrupt the work of the ministry, including the oversight of Ukraine's nuclear power stations.

During Euromaidan, relations between Spilna Sprava and Ukrainian nationalist party Svoboda were especially tense and mistrustful, with Svoboda activists threatening Spilna Sprava militants with stun guns and forcing them out of the Ministry of Agriculture. Six activists from Spilna Sprava were reportedly injured in the confrontation. Tensions between the two groups began at the beginning of Euromaidan, during the police siege of the seized Kyiv City Council building on 11 December 2013. When Spilna Sprava activists left the building to confront riot police in the street, they were locked out by Svoboda militants, and later accused of fleeing the scene. Further deteriorating relations, both riot policemen and Spilna Sprava activists were sprayed in a chilling December wind from a fire hose out of the second-floor window. Svoboda-Spilna Sprava relations following the success of Euromaidan and Yanukovych's flight from Ukraine, however, remained tense. In one incident, on 29 April 2014, the "Self-Defence of Maidan" tried to disperse a torch rally procession in Kyiv staged by Spilna Sprava and the Patriot of Ukraine in commemoration of protesters killed during Euromaidan, resulting in a large brawl near Maidan Nezalezhnosti.

References

  1. (in Ukrainian) Рух «Спільна справа» почав реєстрацію спостерігачів за референдумом про Митний союз (Spilna Sprava started to register election observers for Tariff Union referendum), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8 September 2013.
  2. ^ Groups at the sharp end of Ukraine unrest, BBC News (1 February 2014)
  3. (in Ukrainian) Spilna Sprava: Our ideology Archived 2014-05-05 at the Wayback Machine, Official site. Accessed 5 May 2014.
  4. EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine – Dec. 17, Kyiv Post, 18 December 2014.
  5. (in Ukrainian) Олександр Данилюк: У нас є розуміння того, що вибори відбудуться 27 березня (Oleksandr Danylyuk: We have understanding that elections will take place on 27 March), 13 December 2010.
  6. (in Ukrainian) Громадянський рух «Спільна Справа» розпочав кампанію по збору підписів за дострокове припинення повноважень Верховної ради України та Президента України в електронному вигляді (Spilna Sprava started a signature-gathering campaign to discontinue the parliamentary mandates and remove the president from power), 10 April 2011.
  7. (in Russian) Организаторы Майдана собрали четверть миллиона подписей за отставку Януковича, (Maidan organizers collected 250 000 signatures in support of Yanukovych removal) Tsn.ua, 12 April 2011.
  8. (in Ukrainian) День гнiву призначено на 14 травня (Day of Anger is scheduled on 14 May), Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service), 12 April 2011.
  9. (in Ukrainian) Оголошується загальна мобілізація!!! (Mobilization is declared!!!), Прес-служба громадянського руху Спільна Справа (Spilna Sprava press-service), 5 August 2011.
  10. Spilna Sprava: Elections falsified in dozens of majority constituencies, Kyiv Post, 1 November 2012.
  11. Kostyantyn Chernichkin. Riot police detain NGO activists near opposition rally, Kyiv Post, 18 May 2013.
  12. Police detain Spilna Sprava civic activists Human Rights in Ukraine: Information website of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (18 May 2013). Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  13. A new generation emerges on national stage, Kyiv Post, November 25, 2010.
  14. Daniel McLaughlin. Ministry occupation shows limited power of Klitschko over Kiev protesters, The Irish Times, 28 January 2014.
  15. (in Russian) Соня Кошкина. Данилюк: «Единственный вариант смены власти – революционный. Иначе пацаны власть не отдадут» (Danylyuk: «The only possible way to change power – is revolution. Since wiseguys would not part voluntarily with power»). Левый берег, 10 June 2011.
  16. "Protesters in Kyiv show no sign of moving as Yanukovych returns to work," Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Euronews (3 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  17. Militant Spilna Sprava leader Danylyuk in London; AutoMaidan leader Bulatov flies to Vilnius, Kyiv Post, 3 February 2014.
  18. Yuras Karmanau, "Radicals a wild card in Ukraine’s protests," Associated Press (2 February 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  19. Dominique Arel, "The Ukrainian Rebellion" Archived 2014-05-02 at the Wayback Machine: Remarks delivered at the round-table "Ukraine on the rise", Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Ottawa (29 January 2014). Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  20. ^ Simon & Schuster. Right-Wing Thugs Are Hijacking Ukraine’s Liberal Uprising, Time Magazine, 28 January 2014.
  21. Two armed Maidan activists detained in Kyiv on Friday – Interior Ministry, Interfax-Ukraine, 3 February 2014.
  22. ^ Christopher J. Miller, Katya Gorchinskaya. Danylyuk's group under fire for seizure of government buildings, Kyiv Post, 27 January 2014.
  23. EuroMaidan, Spilna Sprava activists agree on release of Agriculture Ministry, Kyiv Post, 29 January 2014.
  24. EuroMaidan militants take over Ukrainian House on Jan. 26, Kyiv Post, 26 January 2014.
  25. Fuele: Opposition, Euromaidan must dissociate themselves from radical elements, Kyiv Post, 5 February 2014.
  26. Reuters: Ukrainian protesters blockade Energy Ministry after overnight violence, Kyiv Post, 25 January 2014.
  27. Oleg Shynkarenko. Ukraine Protesters Turn Stun Guns On Each Other, The Daily Beast, 30 January 2014.
  28. Six Injured as Ukrainian Opposition Clears Out Radicals From Agriculture Ministry, The Moscow Times, 29 January 2014.
  29. Andrew E. Kramer. Unease as an Opposition Party Stands Out in Ukraine’s Protests, The New York Times, 16 December 2013.
  30. (in Ukrainian) Смолоскипний марш на честь полеглих Героїв Небесної сотні (A torch rally procession in commemoration of the Euromaidan fallen heroes) Photos. Archived by WebCite
  31. (in Ukrainian) На київському Майдані сталася бійка (A fist fight at the Kyiv's Maidan), Дзеркало тижня, 29 April 2014.

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