Justice for advocates in the TOT: criteria discussed by the UNBA and IBA leaders
One of the topics currently being discussed by the professional legal community is the problem of the activities of Ukrainian lawyers in the temporarily occupied territories. How legitimate are the initiatives to criminalize it?
This was discussed during a working meeting between Lidiya Izovitova, the President of the UNBA, BCU, and Mark Ellis, the Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA), in Kyiv on April 17.
As a reminder, several draft laws have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada (No.8077 of September 26, 2022, No. 10136 of October 09, 2023), which propose to expand Article 111-1 (Collaboration) of the Criminal Code. In particular, it is proposed to consider the exercise of independent professional activity in cooperation with the occupation administration of the aggressor state as such a crime.
Despite the fact that some of the territories are temporarily occupied today, they remain part of Ukraine under the law. This was emphasized by L. Izovitova, referring to the Law «On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens and the Legal Regime in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine». One of the goals of state policy in such territories is to ensure the protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities. And this is the constitutional function of the Bar - to ensure the realization of everyone's right to legal aid.
Therefore, according to the logic of the authors of such initiatives, citizens who remain under occupation should be deprived of constitutional guarantees, and lawyers who dare to comply with the Constitution should be punished as criminals.
In addition, the UNBA head emphasized, collaborationism is cooperation with the enemy's government. And the legal profession is professional and independent of the state. It is in no way related to politics, propaganda, or aggression. In such circumstances, the punishment of lawyers does not fit in with European standards of a fair trial.
Earlier, M. Ellis himself emphasized the need to comply with high international standards of fair trial even in times of war. «It is important to understand that protecting the right to a fair trial is not only about ensuring that the processes protect the fundamental rights of the individual, - the lawyer believes. - It is also about ensuring that the world perceives Ukraine's criminal justice system as fair and just».
The Executive Director of the IBA directly linked Ukraine's ensuring fairness in such processes to further international support. «Ukraine is extremely interested in demonstrating that its trials are fair, - he said. - This will become part of the Ukrainian heritage. The absence of fair trials will undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the international community's support for Ukraine».
«The message should be this: «Without justice in these lawsuits, we are no better than Russia», - M. Ellis summarized.
In addition, during the meeting, the areas of cooperation between the UNBA and the IBA were assessed. Vadym Krasnyk, Chairman of the UNBA Secretariat, expressed his gratitude for the systematic support provided by the IBA to the Ukrainian Bar. Among the successfully implemented projects he mentioned:
- technical provision of uninterruptible power supply to the points of inviolability on the basis of the bar self-government bodies
- digitization of archives stored in the Bar Councils and regional CDCs (purchase of copying and scanning equipment)
- assistance of the international community to Ukrainian lawyers through the work of the Board of Trustees.
Hanna Lazarchuk, representative of the Rivne region in the Ukrainian Bar Council, spoke about the rules of the Board of Trustees, the principles of its distribution of funds, and the total amount of income and expenses. She assured the IBA head of full transparency of the body's activities and systematic reporting to donors.
For his part, M. Ellis assured of the IBA's further support of the UNBA's initiatives to provide assistance to lawyers who suffered during the war.
The Executive Director of the IBA visits the UNBA for the fourth time. The first three visits were in August 2022, February and August 2023.
Popular news
European integration
The UNBA presented the CCBE with an overview of legal reform and challenges
Reform of the legal profession, Ukraine’s European integration commitments, guarantees of the profession’s independence, and practices of bar self-governance in European countries — these issues were the subject of discussion at the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).
Rule of Law Roadmap
The UNBA is compiling the findings of the subgroups regarding the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap
Today, May 28, the Ukrainian National Bar Association hosted a meeting of the Coordination Bureau of the Working Group on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap regarding the reform of the advocacy profession. Following a series of meetings by thematic subgroups, the work is now moving to the stage of consolidating proposals and preparing a coordinated package of recommendations.
Discussion
UNBA discussed removing barriers at border crossings for families with children with disabilities
Families of children with disabilities face additional requirements when traveling abroad, particularly regarding consular registration. What is happening and what changes are needed to remove these obstacles were discussed during the roundtable «Borders without barriers for families of children with disabilities».
Discussion
New rules, old problems: the UNBA discussed the work of the ETAIDF and MMC
The reform of medical-social assessment and military medical commissions has changed procedures but has not resolved practical issues. People face situations where documents are not issued, decisions are based on technicalities, assessments are delayed, and they struggle to demonstrate their actual health status in specific life situations.
Discussion
Co-parenting shouldn't be reduced to a 50/50 formula, — roundtable discussion
Following a divorce, joint custody can serve as a mechanism for ensuring equal parental rights. However, this model requires clear criteria and cannot be applied automatically without taking into account the child’s age, the level of conflict between the parents, the risk of violence, and the feasibility of enforcing the future decision.
Legislation
Penalties for errors in military registration require clear rules, – UNBA
The liability of officials for violations of military registration rules must be legally defined, proportionate, and effectively enforceable. Otherwise, the new fines will not protect citizens from registration errors but will create additional risks.
Educational events
How an advocate can find clients when starting a legal practice
Starting a law practice undoubtedly requires professional knowledge. At the same time, a clear understanding of one’s own area of specialization, clients, and communication channels is essential for success.
European integration
Lidiya Izovitova: In the context of European integration reforms, advocacy is a partner of the state, not a target of reform
The war has significantly altered the working conditions for advocates, while European integration has presented the profession with new institutional challenges. The ongoing negotiation process covers issues such as the rule of law, judicial independence, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.
Publications
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition during wartime: when the risks outweigh the request
Volodymyr Matsko Extradition as a systemic form of rights violations
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
