Round table and discussion on the topic “The role of judges in deciding cases during mass protests in Ukraine” with the participation of the Commission
Round table and discussion “The role of judges in deciding cases during mass protests in Ukraine,” which among others was also attended by Mr. Volodymyr Butenko, Members of the Commission Disciplinary Chamber and Mrs. Tetiana Shylova, Member of the Commission Qualification Chamber, was held under the USAID FAIR Justice Project on 9 December 2015.
The participants also included deputy chairmen and members of the High Council of Justice and the Council of Judges of Ukraine, the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine, chairman and members of the Interim Commission for Verification of General Courts Judges, Mr. Serhii Holovatyi, Member of the Constitutional Commission, scholars, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, NGOs and lawyers' associations.
During the opening speech Mrs. Nataliia Petrova, Deputy Chief of USAID FAIR Project outlined the main goals of the round table, namely to analyze and discuss the judicial decisions adopted during the Revolution of Dignity against the peaceful mass actions participants, to define threats to judicial independence, the factors of influence on judges, causes of abuse of office and possible cleaning the judiciary.
The expert from Slovakia Mr. Pavol Zilincik informed the participants about practice of cleaning the judiciary in Europe and described the achievements and challenges of judicial reform in Germany (after unionizing), Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary.
After a lively debate the participants agreed on the need in dialogue between the courts and the public to enhance transparency in the administration of justice and to strengthen the accountability of judges.
Reference:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) FAIR Justice Project (FAIR) has been working in Ukraine from October 2011 to promote judicial reform.
The goal of FAIR is to strengthen the rule of law through enhancing judicial independence, improving transparency and accountability of the judiciary, raising awareness of the public about the judiciary to increase public trust and confidence.
Objectives of the Project are to assist in harmonizing the national legislative and regulatory framework for the judicial reform with European and international standards of judicial accountability and independence; strengthen the accountability and transparency of key judicial institutions; enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of the judiciary; increase the role of civil society organizations as advocates for and monitors of the judiciary.
