![](https://vkksu.gov.ua/sites/default/files/field/image/conference_zastavka.jpg)
On June 9, 2023, Deputy Chairman of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine Ruslan Sydorovych took part in the Conference “Freedom of Speech for Judges and the Role of Judicial Associations in a Democratic State Governed by the Rule of Law”, which lasted for two days in Lviv.
In his speech, the Deputy Chairman of the HQCJ emphasized the important role of judicial self-government bodies and noted that Ukrainian society expects not narrowly the filling of judicial vacancies but the appointment of persons to the judiciary who are not only professional lawyers but also carriers of such European values as freedom of speech and democracy.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Sydorovych also emphasized that the newly established HQCJ shall demonstrate complete transparency in its work and will be open for communications with all stakeholders, in particular, the judiciary.
The conference was supported by the EU Project “Pravo-Justice” and the Council of Europe Office.
The Conference was also attended by representatives of the High Council of Justice, National School of Judges, Council of Judges, Constitutional Court, judges of various courts, representatives of judicial self-government bodies, judges from Portugal, Finland, and the Netherlands, representatives of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, and representatives of the Pravo-Justice Project.