The organizing committee of the Euromaidan protest rally on Kyiv's Independence Square says that the use of force by law enforcement officers against peaceful protesters will provoke a confrontation response.

"We warn: the further use of force against protesters will only provoke confrontation. We warn the authorities against further provocations and repression against protesters. The entire responsibility for this situation lies on [Ukrainian President] Viktor Yanukovych personally," said an official statement by the Euromaidan organizing committee, posted on its Facebook page.

"We urge the international community to assess the illegal actions of the Ukrainian authorities, which provoke the scenario with the use of force in Ukraine. This [the assessment] should include individual sanctions against those members of the power who are responsible for violations of Ukrainians' rights," the statement said.

The organizing committee also assured that the protest action on Independence Square, which has been taking place since November 22, was an "entirely lawful and peaceful rally with the submission of an application [for permission of the rally] to Kyiv State City Administration, which wasn't denied."

"The protesters did not commit any unlawful action," the statement said.

Thus, the organizing committee says, the scenario with the use of force played by the authorities has made Ukrainians continue rallies, which "spontaneously transform to protests against the authorities" from events to support European integration.