President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the solemn meeting of the Plenum of the Supreme Court and congratulated the judges on the professional holiday - Court Employees' Day.
"This is the day of people who, with their work and principles, should establish justice in society. It is justice that is the foundation of the moral state of any society," said the Head of State.
The President thanked the judges and other court employees who feel the moral meaning of their work and make every effort to ensure that Ukrainian society feels justice.
The Head of State emphasized that the war for the independence of Ukraine poses a strategic task - to hold to account all Russian murderers, torturers and terrorists, and to do everything possible at the level of the national judicial system to punish those who committed crimes against Ukrainians and Ukraine.
"A fair Ukrainian court capable of working within a reasonable time frame is a key element in fulfilling this task. Our heroic defenders, the political leadership, our diplomats, our investigators and prosecutors, who are investigating everything that the occupiers and collaborators have done on our Ukrainian land, will do their part. I am sure of it. But the main result will be your work. I believe that it will be effective," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President noted that the Supreme Court has a special place in the architecture of justice. It should be the court of law that any strong social and legal system needs.
"Of course, as the President of Ukraine, I cannot and will not determine any parameters of your work. But, like any Ukrainian, I am really interested in Ukraine having a stable judicial practice that is understandable for society and for use by lower courts. I believe that you will be able to ensure such a high level of work of the Supreme Court," said the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that despite the war and any opposition, the reform of the state bodies of Ukraine, in particular the court, continues.
"I initiated the adoption of the law on the liquidation of the District Administrative Court of the city of Kyiv and I want this decision to be a very clear signal to all judges that society expects only one thing - justice," said the Head of State.
The President also expressed hope for the efficient and transparent work of the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine.
"I hope that next year it will be possible to fill the shortage of judges that exists in the system today. And I hope that the movement of our country towards a new perception of judicial bodies by people is already beginning. As a branch of government that administers justice and helps society," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
He also honored Ukrainian judges with state awards. In particular, the President presented the Order of Courage of the III degree to the wife of the judge of the Krasnohrad District Court of the Kharkiv region Dmytro Konstantynov who died in the Kharkiv region.
"From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he helped the defense forces of Ukraine as a volunteer, in particular in demining. On October 29, during the demining of the territory of the Kharkiv region, he died heroically. Eternal memory," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree to the judge of the Illichivsk District Court of the city of Mariupol Yulia Matveeva who had to go through Russian captivity.
"Since March 19, the Russian occupiers have held Yulia captive. For seven months! In October, our team managed to free her from captivity. I ask you all to support Yulia - I think it is very important - in overcoming what she had to go through," he said.
The solemn meeting of the Plenum of the Supreme Court was also attended by: Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Chairman of the Supreme Court Vsevolod Kniaziev, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, government officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
