Ukrainian judges claim no wrongdoing in reform meeting

A working meeting convened by President Volodymyr
Zelensky occured on Sept. 16 to examine the lack of progress in selecting
representatives of the judiciary for the Ethics Council. The meeting was
attended by representatives from the judiciary, Presidential Office, Cabinet of
Ministers, and Verkhovna Rada as well as the ambassadors of the G7 countries in
Ukraine.

Chairman of the Supreme Court Valentyna Danishevska
stated that, “although the Council of Judges did not select representatives to
the Ethics Council at the first try, it did not violate the law by doing so,
and the Council will continue the voting until they select these
persons”,  President Zelensky’s website posted in a press release on the
same day.

Chairman of the Council of Judges of Ukraine Bohdan
Monich stated that “the Council of Judges of Ukraine is determined to
implement this law, and we will do it.” Monich also pointed to
improvements to the selection process recommended by the Council of Judges.

James Hydzik: The
statements by the Zelensky administration and its foreign partners were
predictable, and added nothing new. The important part is the reaction by those
representing the judiciary, and thus far, the reaction is to stonewall. Perhaps
it’s not a surprise, either. However, the fact that the presidential website is
quoting the judges instead of letting the press do the work is an indication
that the judges will remain under the microscope for some time to come.

Also, if the judges do remain at the center of
attention, it may be that the Zelensky administration and its western partners
have agreed, perhaps tacitly, that the judges, and not government enterprise
governance, will be at the core of its fight against corruption.