Rada to draft bill on judicial organization and proceedings based on two bills which passed first reading
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed a presidential bill on ensuring the right to a fair trial (No. 1656) in the first reading.
A total of 288 MPs out of 357 registered in the session hall voted in favor of the bill on Tuesday.
The bill suggests amending certain laws of Ukraine relating to judicial organization and proceedings in order to efficiently ensure the observance of human rights and the right to a fair trial. In particular, the rights of citizens guaranteeing equality before the law, publicity and the transparency of proceedings and other guarantees were included into the bill.
According to the bill, the information on courts that are considering a case, the stage of consideration, and the place and time of a hearing must be made public, but the right of attending a hearing should be restricted. The document also foresees that the rulings of the Supreme Court of Ukraine regarding the administration of justice will become obligatory for authorities, and that courts will take them into account to ensure an equal administration of justice.
The bill also foresees standardization in the creation of courts and the appointment of judges to administrative positions, as well the optimization of courts' personnel and their activity.
According to the bill, executive government agencies cannot interfere with the creation of courts or determine the number of judges. The number of administrative positions in courts will decrease and staff will be organized in accordance with the actual work load.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also passed a bill on amending the law on judicial organization and the status of judges (No. 1497) in the first reading. This bill is to improve the basics of organization and operation of judicial power in line with European standards.
The MPs decided to create a working group to prepare a bill on the right to a fair trial that will be based on the above-mentioned bills.
Rada Chairman Volodymyr Hroisman has been tasked with the creation of a working group for the second reading.
