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2.3 IMF compliant judicial reform bill voted through
Ukraine’s parliament voted on July 13 again on bill #3711 making amendments to judicial legislation that will re-establish the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ), the body that will qualify candidates for judges.
The controversial bill was passed in June, but was vetoed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy as it contained various amendments designed to water it down that would have allowed, among other things, corrupt judges to be appointed. Zelenskiy insisted on a tougher bill that specifically allows foreign experst to veto candidates and sent the bill back to the parliament.
“It seems that bill #5068 has been approved in the form that is agreed upon with the IMF, which will allow Ukraine to fulfil one of the strongest commitments to the fund and allow for a successful review of the Stand-By program,” Alexander Paraschiy of Concorde Capital said in a note.
“Needless to say, such changes will give an opportunity to Ukraine to significantly improve the judiciary system by filling vacant judges positions with persons of good reputation, as well as disqualify some odious judges. This is a long and involved process with a variety of interests wanting to derail the process. As these interests reside both among the judges and in other branches of government, the threats to the process are present among those engaging in the reform. Clearly, for this to succeed, external observation will be required,” Paraschiy added.
The bill stipulates that all 16 members of the HQCJ will be selected by a special commission. The initial composition of the commission will be three appointees from the council of judges and three independent experts offered by Ukraine’s western partners. The independent members will have a decisive role in the selection process.
Also, the parliament approved on July 14 another important law on judiciary
11 UKRAINE Country Report August 2021 www.intellinews.com