( CNN ) -- Pressure is mounting on Ukraine to clean up its human rights record ahead of the Euro 2012 finals next month , with the EU Commission 's president the latest high-profile leader to boycott the football championships . Just weeks before the tournament kicks off , president Jose Manuel Barroso has rejected an invitation to attend the final in Kiev -- citing concerns over the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko . `` The president has decided that for the time being and in the present circumstances he does n't want to travel to or attend any events in Ukraine , '' his spokeswoman told CNN on Tuesday . She confirmed this was due to concerns over the treatment of former prime minister Tymoshenko , and added : `` The EU and president Barroso have sent strong signals of their serious concerns over what is happening in Ukraine . '' Photos emerged on Friday of Tymoshenko covered in bruises which the 51-year-old claims that prison guards inflicted . Officials have denied the allegations . Tymoshenko , a fierce rival of president Victor Yanukovych , is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office and faces another trial on tax evasion charges . Daughter Yevgenia said her mother 's life is now in danger since starting a hunger strike more than a week ago , in a statement on the website of British newspaper the Guardian . European leaders have continued to turn their backs on the June 8-July 1 event , which will be co-hosted by Poland , with the EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding also refusing to travel to the Ukraine . German chancellor Angela Merkel is reportedly considering missing the tournament , with any such visit depending on Tymoshenko 's release . Her environment minister Nobert Rottgen has already urged Berlin government ministers to boycott matches . Neither Ukraine nor Poland have previously hosted such a top-level sports event , which is run by European football 's governing body UEFA . UEFA president Michael Platini last month complained of `` crooks and bandits '' hiking hotel rates in Ukraine , while last Friday bombings in the city of Dnipropetrovsk raised security fears ahead of the tournament . At least 30 people were injured , but the Ukraine government has assured UEFA it was taking `` all necessary steps '' to ensure the safety of around 1.3 million fans expected to watch 16 national teams go head-to-head . No-one has claimed responsibility for the bombs , which were placed in four rubbish bins and exploded at short intervals , but some reports linked them to protests against Tymonshenko 's treatment . The attacks cast further doubt over Ukraine's 's ability to stage such an event , and UEFA has taken the unprecedented step of raising political concerns with the East European nation . `` Even though UEFA , as a sports organization , never interferes in political matters , it has asked the Ukrainian delegation to convey these concerns to the competent authorities , '' it said .
EU Commission 's president Jose Manuel Barroso snubs invitation to Euro 2012 final . He is latest EU leader refusing to travel to Ukraine over its treatment of imprisoned Yulia Tymoshenko . Ukraine suffering series of upsets including `` crook '' hoteliers , bombings and snubs . Comment: