PACE calls on Ukraine to accelerate implementation of a European judicial model

Co-rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee, Hanne Severinsen says that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe could stop the process of monitoring if European observers see progress in reforms, particularly in judicial reform. PACE is scrupulously following the reform of the Ukrainian judicial system. It welcomes the tabling in parliament of a number of draft laws which allow for fundamental changes to the court system in Ukraine. These changes involve introducing a European judicial model with five independent specialized courts rather than the three at present in the country. Ms Severinsen is disturbed, however, by the large number of complaints with regard to this from the Supreme Court. “One has the impression that in parliament comments from the Supreme Court are being used to drag out review of these issues.” The Head of the Supreme Court Vasyl Onopenko justifies the numerous comments by saying that the proposed judicial model does not conform with Ukrainian conditions and a radical change in the judicial system could lead to a collapse of court proceedings. However, he adds that by September the Ukrainian judicial system will be brought into line with European standards. It is then that PACE will be presenting their conclusions on their work in Ukraine.