Ukrainian National Bar Association received the Scott Crosby Human Rights Award 2022
Recently in St. Julian’s (Republic of Malta), the European Criminal Bar Association held a conference on the Role of Defence and the Transformation of the European Judicial Area. The Ukrainian National Bar Association was represented by the Vice President of the UNBA, Mr. Valentyn Gvozdiy.
The conference started with honoring the Ukrainian National Bar Association with the Human Rights Award, named after the famous human rights lawyer Scott Crosby.
Presenting the high award to the UNBA, the ECBA President Vincent Asselineau and the ECBA Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis noted the extraordinary heroism of the people of Ukraine in their selfless struggle against the aggressor.
Thus, Vincent Asselineau stressed: “The Scott Crosby Award bestowed upon the Ukrainian National Bar Association is justified and well deserved. The ECBA commends the efforts of the Ukrainian National Bar Association to support justice in this war-torn country.”
For his part, Alexis Anagnostakis, the ECBA Human Rights Committee Officer, said: “Honouring the country, its citizens, and their sacrifices, we will now never say that Ukrainians are fighting as heroes! From now on, we will say that HEROES fight as UKRAINIANS! Ukrainian lawyers’ tremendous and heroic work during the war inspires and admires us all.
Despite the bombings, blood, and tears, lawyers and judges have succeeded in maintaining the rule of law and human rights in times of devastating war. Thanks to them, the courts and the legal system operate without interruption. The Ukrainian National Bar Association has shown significant solidarity not only with lawyers; it has helped all the suffering people who asked for help. It was not only legal aid but also assistance with food, clothing, medicines, and finances.
That is why the award is given this year to the heroes of the legal profession. Your victory is our victory! The award is named after our friend and colleague Scott Crosby, who left this world in 2020. For him, human rights were always in the first place, and if he were with us today, I am sure he would be with Ukrainians and fight for human rights in Ukraine!”
Accepting the award on behalf of the UNBA, Valentyn Gvozdiy noted: “This award is a high appreciation of the work of all Ukrainian advocates who uphold the rule of law and fight for peace in Ukraine. On behalf of all Ukrainian lawyers, I sincerely thank the international legal community for its constant support in this difficult time. The war in Ukraine is killing our citizens and destroying our homes, infrastructure, and cultural heritage. Now the lawyers of Ukraine have a lot of work to do. Many of us are defending Ukraine on the frontline, and those who are in the rear provide free legal aid to citizens and children left without parents or help with the search for parents. We help servicemen. Our unity and dedication to the profession have become our front today! I agree with Alexis Anagnostakis, who said that in 2023 we would hold the awarding of the Human Rights Award named after the famous human rights lawyer Scott Crosby in Ukraine - in a free and peaceful Ukraine. I am convinced that it will happen!” - Valentyn Gvozdiy emphasized.
Popular news
Advocacy
Beating of a lawyer in Kharkiv: what is known about the incident in the premises of the MME
When the lawyer began to record violations of her client's rights in the premises of the military medical commission, the defender was pushed out of the room by physical force and her belongings were thrown away. The Verkhovna Rada became interested in the incident, and the Ombudsman took the case under his personal control.
Advocacy
The Verkhovna Rada proposes to grant lawyers a deferral from the draft (criteria)
The mobilization of lawyers has devastating consequences for the system of professional legal aid, as it violates the legal rights and interests of hundreds of thousands of citizens and legal entities to whom male lawyers provide professional legal aid.
Advocacy
Exemption from payment of fees in 2025: what advocates should know
The Bar Council of the region and the Ukrainian National Bar Association may, upon the applications of advocates submitted by December 31, decide to exempt, reduce, or defer the payment of the annual fee for the implementation of the bar self-government.
Advocacy
The annual fee of an advocate in 2025: The BCU has changed the distribution
In 2025, the annual contribution to the bar self-government will continue to be one subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons (UAH 3,028, according to the Law on the State Budget). At the same time, its distribution will change.
Advocacy
Officially: there are more than 70 thousand advocates in Ukraine
Recently, the number of advocates in our country has exceeded 70 thousand. To be more precise, as of today, the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine contains information about 70152 attorneys.
Advocacy
European integration and advocacy: development of the institution through constructive dialogue
Today, unfortunately, there are many pseudo-experts who are confidently undertaking to reform the institution of the bar. At the same time, they are unwilling to study the issue from the inside and deliberately ignore the disastrous consequences of their initiatives for the country.
Advocacy
Some TCCs have become «territories without advocacy» - Lidiya Izovitova
If the prosecution does not like the position of the lawyer, it resorts to pressure, including through territorial centers for recruitment and social support. Physical pressure, accusations of treason, mobilization - all this can be a reaction of the authorities to an active defense.
Advocacy
Lidiya Izovitova: The Law on the Bar is a part of Ukraine's European integration path
The current Law of Ukraine «On the Bar and Practice of Law» is the most modern law on the bar in Europe. Since it embodies European standards of legal profession and self-government, its adoption, among other things, allowed the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU in 2014.
Publications
Ihor Kolesnykov A BRIEF SUMMARY REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDER ON EXTENDED CONFISCATION IN LATVIA REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSETS OF…
Valentyn Gvozdiy WORKING IN A WAR ZONE
Lydia Izovitova Formula of perfection
Sergiy Vylkov Our judicial system is so built that courts do not trust advocates
Iryna Vasylyk Advocacy in the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine
Oleksandr DULSKY When we cross the border of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, we get into another department of the National Anti-Corruption…
Vadym Krasnyk The UNBA will work, and all obstacles and restrictions are only temporary inconveniences
Lydia Izovitova Interview with Lydia Izovitova on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of UNBA: We are the voice of t…
