The Council of Judges of Ukraine refused to appoint its experts, which effectively blocked the reform.
The Council of Ukrainian Judges at a meeting on September 13 actually blocked the start of judicial reform in Ukraine. The US State Department reacted to this state of affairs and promised to support the Ukrainian society in these matters.
In a statement, the US Foreign Office notes that judicial reform is critical to strengthening the rule of law and attracting foreign investment to Ukraine.
The importance of judicial reform
The State Department notes that the law on judicial reform adopted by the Verkhovna Rada is a historic decision. They say that international partners have already nominated highly qualified experts to renew the High Council of Justice.
However, the refusal of the Council of Judges of Ukraine to nominate its experts threatens to thwart promises of real judicial reform in Ukraine,
— the Americans warned.
At the same time, the State Department stressed that the Council of Judges still has time to maintain a positive impetus for the reform. Meanwhile, American partners promise to continue to promote reform.
Projected effects of the reform
The State Department stressed that judicial reform will help the Ukrainian people to trust their courts and judges, and so that Ukraine can continue on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
In addition, the Americans added that judicial reform will create more jobs and economic opportunity, as well as provide the justice that the Ukrainian people deserve.
Briefly about the disruption of the judicial reform
- The Verkhovna Rada approved the draft law on judicial reform after rather lengthy disputes. At the first stage, it provides for the cleaning of the High Council of Justice — the body that should be engaged in the formation of a virtuous judiciary.
- For the formation of the GRP, it was first necessary to form an Ethical Commission, which will deal with this. In it, some of the votes have international experts, some — Ukrainian judges.
- International partners have already identified their representatives, which are included in the Ethics Commission. But the Council of Judges of Ukraine refused to appoint its experts, which actually blocked the reform.