10 January 2008, 17:04
The Bill (Reg. No. 1144) proposes to extend the system of State Orders and Decorations of Ukraine by amending the said Law.
It envisages the institution of new State Orders and Decorations The Order of Liberty and Medal 'For The Saving of Life', conferred upon individuals to honour their special merits in strengthening the Sovereignty and Independence of Ukraine and developing the Democracy, and also for the saving of life, together with active Philanthropic, Humanistic and other activities in the Public Health area.
Committee Members agreed at the Meeting, that both Ukrainian Nationals and Nationals of other States should be decorated by The Order of Liberty for their contribution to the strengthening of Democratic processes in this country. In their opinion, The Order of Liberty should be ranked highly within the system of Ukraine's State Orders and Decorations, following, in this hierarchy, after The Order of Prince Yaroslav Mudry.
V. Repryntsev, Head of The State Orders and Decorations and Heraldry Service within the Presidency of Ukraine, emphasized that this Bill is aimed at the realisation of provisions of the Edict Bo. 1177 of The President of Ukraine, 'On Improvements in the System for the Awarding of Orders and Decorations in Ukraine', appertaining to the setting up of The Order of Liberty and Medal 'For The Saving of Life'. He added that the history of World Orders and Decorations still has Awards dedicated to the struggle for the establishment of the ideals of Liberty . The Finnish Government was the first to institute The Cross of Liberty in 1918, awarded to participants of The Liberation War. The President of The Russian Federation conferred upon citizens of his own and other countries a Medal 'To the Defender of Free Russia' for merit in fulfilling democratic transformations, economic and political reforms, and the strengthening of Russian Statehood.
The Committee believes that the passing of this Bill will permit an improvement in the System for the Awarding of Orders and Decorations in Ukraine, provide for its development based on the ideals of Democracy, Openness, Publicity and Transparency, and elevate the social importance of State Orders and Decorations.