It is necessary to exert every effort to make the Constitution of Ukraine effective, to use it not only for oath-taking, but also as a real Bible for every civil officer. Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, made this statement in the interview to Rada parliamentary TV channel on Friday.
He believes that before assuming the office, every civil officer shall pass an exam to demonstrate the knowledge of Constitution, Ukrainian language and history of Ukraine. V.Lytvyn supposes that if this test is held, plenty high-ranking officials will display their absolute ignorance of the Fundamental Law. "It confirms their neglect of the Constitution, which they have never been willing to implement", he summed up, and called for "putting an end to it."
V.Lytvyn stated that "Ukrainian Constitution consolidates the best historical traditions, such as Pylyp Orlyk Constitution and following constitutions, and includes remarkable provisions, especially in the first chapter dedicated to the human and civil rights and liberties." He regrets the fact that "for the last fourteen years, the energy is usually directed into the political struggle, personal conflicts and confrontations instead of realization of constitutional provisions to make every individual feel decent." V.Lytvyn admitted "the attempts to neglect the Constitution, and redraft it for the benefit of some political leader and correlation of forces." The Head of the Parliament believes that "redrafting and revision of the Constitution should be prohibited for twenty years, criminal responsibility for its non-implementation being established."
"Then, on the eve of the anniversary of adoption of the Ukrainian Constitution, we would have a possibility to declare its effectiveness", V.Lytvyn stated. "Unfortunately, the Constitution of Ukraine and public life are concurrent. Two parallel streams never intersect."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine calls for normalizing the living in the country, making everyone, especially "the authorities and the wealthy people", observe the Constitution.
"However, we can be proud of our state, our own home, which may be not fully furnished, but with public peace to be cherished", V.Lytvyn stated.