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
Legislation
UNBA initiatives to implement the Roadmap were supported by international experts
International experts who participated in the inaugural meeting of the Working Group on the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law in advocacy and agreed to join it expressed their support for the initiative of the Ukrainian National Bar Association.
Legislation
How will the group responsible for implementing the Roadmap for advocacy operate?
The working group on the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law in the area of advocacy will operate at several levels: plenary meetings as a platform for adopting framework decisions, a coordination bureau for compiling documents and calendar control, and thematic subgroups for preparing norms and their justification. International experts will verify the results against European standards and «red lines».
Legislation
Advocacy is a responsible entity, not a critic of reform — V. Gvozdiy
The Roadmap on the Rule of Law is not a basis for restructuring the model of advocacy, but a framework for verifying and improving the already European-oriented system. At the same time, part of the work has already been done, so further progress should be made in the form of coordinated and practical decisions.
Legislation
Roadmap and advocacy: working group holds first meeting
On January 2, the first organizational meeting of the Working Group on the implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law in the area of advocacy reform took place. The event was devoted to agreeing on the framework for further work and exchanging the initial positions of the participants.
Self-government
BCU: NACP initiatives regarding the Bar are unconstitutional interference
The Bar Council of Ukraine has condemned the initiatives to reform the Bar proposed by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention as direct, gross and systematic interference by the executive branch in the activities of an independent constitutional institution.
Self-government
UNBA program for implementation of the Roadmap on the rule of law published
In order to ensure the implementation of measures set out in the Roadmap on the Rule of Law, the Bar Council of Ukraine approved a program for its implementation in relation to the reform of advocacy.
Professional Conduct
The results of the CISA cannot be used in disciplinary proceedings against advocates – BCU
Materials obtained through covert investigative (search) activities involving interference in private communications cannot be transferred or used in disciplinary proceedings against advocates. This is because the Code of Criminal Procedure does not allow investigators or prosecutors to use such materials outside of criminal proceedings.
URAU
Access to advocate contacts in URAU has been restored
The Bar Council of Ukraine has opened up public access to data from the Unified Register of Advocates of Ukraine, which was closed at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The decision was made at a meeting on December 12–13.
Publications
Victoria Yakusha, Law and Business The anti-corruption vertical cannot «take care» of the Bar as an institution, - acting head of the HQDCB
Censor.net Protecting advocates – protecting justice: addressing concerns about the new law
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…
