OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine supports exchange of experience on human rights protection through constitutional justice

YALTA, Ukraine, 20 June 2013 - Ways of protecting the rights of individuals through constitutional justice are the focus of an international conference that started in Yalta in the south of the country, today with the support of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU).

The two-day event is initiated by the country’s Constitutional Court to mark the 17th anniversary of the Ukrainian Constitution.

It brought together judges from 18 countries and from the European Court of Human Rights, representatives of international organisations, state officials, scholars and experts who will exchange experiences and best practices on the matter.

“Constitutional judiciary should serve as a sound and trustworthy guardian for democratic values and principles in society,” said Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, in her address to the participants.

 “The current process of legal reform provides an opportunity to enhance constitutional protection in Ukraine, including through a long-awaited introduction of a system of individual complaints which would be highly welcomed”, she added.

The conference is also supported by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Council of Europe’s Venice Commission) and the German Foundation for International Legal Co-operation. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator contributed to the event as part of its  activities aimed at raising awareness of practical tools of restoring violated human rights.