On June 18 UWC President Paul Grod addressed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky with a letter emphasizing the importance to uphold the rule of law and underlining the threats of selective justice. In particular, the letter highlighted the fact that manipulating the judicial system by political processes will have a negative impact on the international community and on foreign investors.
UWC consistently monitors the processes potentially damaging to democracy and transparency in Ukraine, and insists that political justice and pressure on the judiciary are unacceptable.
The rule of law is key to further establish the international image of Ukraine as a democratic state. The rule of law is key to maintain trust and support from the main partners and friends of Ukraine. All investigations must fully comply with the norms of the existing legislation, and not be led by political decisions.
There is a growing concern among the international political community, as well as among foreign investors, over the lack of independence in justice system and over corruptibility of justices.
“No one is above the law. But selective justice today threatens Ukraine’s future and undermines the very foundations of the democratic and lawful society: those of the equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial. Ruining of these principles may lead to an explosive reaction of the society in Ukraine, as well as to the loss of credibility with foreign partners and investors” – stated Paul Grod, UWC President. – “We call on the Ukrainian authorities to implement immediate reforms in the judicial and criminal justice systems to European standards, with the oversight of international partners.”
