Given the inexplicable haste with which the Verkhovna Rada passed a law of crucial importance for Ukraine’s development as a democratic, law-based country, we have sent a letter to the Venice Commission. We understand that the Venice Commission deals with governments, not members of the public. Yet if the government does not communicate with members of the public over a law which could seriously jeopardize the development of an independent and impartial judicial system in Ukraine, they leave us no choice
Dear Members of the Venice Commission,
Despite no official Opinion from the Venice Commission and serious concerns raised by a number of Ukrainian specialists, Ukraine’s parliament on 7 July passed the Law “On the Judicial System and Status of Judges”. It has not yet been signed into law by President Yanukovych and a number of human rights and analytical organizations, as well as people concerned for Ukraine’s development as a law-based democracy are presently calling on the President to veto this law.
Read the entire appeal here.
