Human Rights is the Initial Condition of the Development of Modern European Nations - V. Lytvyn
01 July 2011, 09:50
"Human rights is not a nice
slogan to emphasize democracy, but a regularity and a precondition of
development of the modern European nations, which was maintained after two
world wars," Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
stated at the international workshop conference "Implementation of Practice of
the European Court for Human Rights in the Legal Framework of Ukraine."
He stated that organization of this conference demonstrates "our dedication to the human rights and the conviction that human rights should be constantly monitored by the government and the public."
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed that Ukraine has a long-lasting history of the institute of human rights. "Back in the times of the medieval Europe, when the concept of ‘human rights´ did not exist and the monarch had the rights, not obligations, concerning his nationals, Kyivan Rus had already understood this issue," he stated.
V.Lytvyn regretted that the period of prosperity of Kyivan Rus changed with the times of regression and subjugation. "Losing its independence, Ukrainian nations could not develop the fundamental human rights," he admitted. It was only upon Ukraine´s accession to the Council of Europe, ratification of the Convention for Human Rights and participation in the European judicial system of human rights protection that this possibility appeared. V.Lytvyn stated that unbiased analysis of Ukraine´s activity in the Council of Europe system demonstrated fruitful work and substantial results.
According to
V.Lytvyn, the possibility of cooperation within the European Court of Human
Rights was especially welcome. "Our citizens proved to be more flexible and
active than public institutions in this respect. They quickly took advantage of
protecting their rights in court," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stated.
Ukraine is fifth by the number of claims to the European Court of Human Rights. In 1998, 214 claims were filed from Ukraine, in 1999 431 claims,
and as of April 30, 2011 10950 claims.
In this context, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for regulating the issue of responsibility for delays in legal proceedings and non-execution of judicial orders.
He also deems necessary to hold outreach campaigns regarding domestic remedies.
Summing up, V.Lytvyn stated that national courts and law-enforcement bodies should demonstrate implementation of the Convention for Human Rights and execution of judicial orders of the European Court for Human Rights. "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine shall draft the laws in line with the Convention and the standards of the European Court," he stressed.