Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada abolishes January 16 laws

The Ukrainian parliament is holding an emergency debate, with the opposition factions also taking part.

The Verkhovna Rada has cancelled the notorious ‘January 16 laws’ that were adopted by a vote by a show of hands. Protesters demanded to abolish them. 362 MPs voted for their abolishment. The communists did not take part in the voting.

The decision drew MPs’ applause.