Ukrainian lawyers elaborated new remedies for human rights protection

On 24 June 2015 the Ukrainian National Bar Association together with the EU Project "Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Ukraine", the NGO "Association of Lawyers of Ukraine", the NGO "Association of Advocates of Ukraine" and the NGO "For Human Rights Protection" officially launched the Declaration on Human Rights in Criminal Proceedings.

The Declaration summarizes the position of advocates expressed on numerous public and specialized events, which were held throughout Ukraine over the past eighteen months, and which were devoted to a discussion of deviations of judicial practice in the criminal justice from the law. Currently, lawyers unite in order to mobilize progressive forces that could make real changes in the judicial practice in criminal proceedings. Acting under the slogan "Act pursuant to the law and respect the law", the professional organizations of lawyers will cooperate in order to strengthen human rights protection in criminal proceedings and to ensure professional rights of lawyers. The Declaration will be a key document for public campaign and systematic supervision, which will strengthen the role of lawyers both in the criminal justice system and in other spheres of justice.

"I am pleased to see that different professional associations of the Ukrainian lawyers joined the Declaration. This is the proof of how to achieve changes in order to restore people's confidence in the judicial system", - said Jan Tombinski, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. He noted that the implementation of the Declaration on Human Rights in Criminal Proceedings should be part of the joint responsibility of lawyers, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials.

"In addition to the legislation, there are rules of professional conduct, morality and law. Our Declaration demonstrates how the society wants to see judges and prosecutors. Time has come for the advocates to say that we are not only professional defenders in the courts, but also the representatives of civil society”, - said Lydia Izovitova, President of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.

Lawyers will use the Declaration for the information campaign in civil society, the media and public authorities in order to protect human rights and to increase respect for the work of a lawyer, and to provide remedies against violations of the rights. It summarizes the key principles that must be complied with in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and international standards applied in Ukraine.

"Protection of human rights is our responsibility. And this is just the beginning. For lawyers, it is very important to help the media and public organizations to understand how the judicial process takes place. Therefore, our colleagues in the regions will explain the possibilities of using the Declaration", - said Denys Bugay, President of the Association of Lawyers of Ukraine.

"The Declaration is the agreement on the common activities of lawyers. This document will become a means of enhancing legal awareness among judges, prosecutors and citizens”, - said Oleg Chernobay, President of the NGO “Association of Advocates of Ukraine”.

Implementation of the Declaration will enhance public awareness of the problems in the criminal justice system and will promote social mobilization for criminal justice reforms led by lawyers.

"The Declaration is the important tool that will help advocates to modify the existing jurisprudence. Further effectiveness of this tool will depend only on the lawyers themselves. The main thing is human rights which cannot exist without the rule of law", - said Mark Segal, Chief expert on access to justice and the right to defense component of the EU Project "Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Ukraine".

Presentation materials

Video

Video of the "Declaration on human rights in criminal proceedings" presentation in the news broadcast