Lawyer Andrei Gozhy: “Human rights in this country are over”
We met with the lawyer of Zhytomyr journalist Vasily Muravitsky, accused of treason, Andrey Gozhy, at a meeting of the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine for the consideration of civil and criminal cases. The judges had to consider the defense's request to change jurisdiction - according to lawyers, there is reason to argue that an objective consideration of the “Muravitsky case” in the Zhytomyr region is impossible. But the meeting was postponed indefinitely due to the fact that the escort service once again did not deliver the journalist to Kyiv from the Zhytomyr pre-trial detention center.
According to the lawyer, it cannot be ruled out that this was done intentionally: “perhaps they are stalling for time... or they are afraid of Muravitsky’s public appearances.” Now the date of the next hearing must be determined by the already formed Supreme Court of Ukraine.
The lawyer explained: The Supreme Special Court is finishing its work due to the fact that the Supreme Court has been formed. According to him, “once again we saw how the temple of justice turns into a theater of the absurd.”
“Yes, indeed, we are moving forward with judicial pseudo-reform, another change of tables has taken place - the highest specialized courts are being liquidated, the Supreme Court is being created, under which the corresponding criminal courts will operate, etc., etc.,” Gozhiy said, adding that all this is in current conditions will not lead to citizens feeling more protected.
On the contrary, it is increasingly difficult for ordinary people to expect that they will be able to legally defend their rights. Gozhy spoke about this in more detail in an interview for Politnavigator.
– What, in your opinion, is the situation with human rights in Ukraine, how has it changed over this year? What catches your eye?
– It is striking that such a formulation as “human rights” has turned into a banal abstraction that has no legal meaning. Human rights are over in this country. Without money, some connections, or armed forces in camouflage, it is impossible to achieve the truth in this country.
The system simply stopped working. The courts do not work for many reasons, including due to lack of personnel. The police are not working because the professionals have been dispersed and operational search activities have been destroyed. The security service is only concerned with “tick marks” in reports... That is, the justice system itself, in the broad sense of the word, the law enforcement system, has been destroyed.
In addition, taxes and court fees have been increased - while the standard of living of citizens has fallen. What human rights can we talk about? A person has nothing to eat, but he goes to sue the housing office, he goes to sue an official? Of course not.
– That is, an ordinary person is deprived of the opportunity to defend his rights?
“He is deprived of this opportunity both organizationally and economically.
– If a person wants to sue, how much should he pay?
– The minimum is 640 hryvnia, but now the fee will be increased, since our minimum wage is increasing, and the fee is tied to it. Plus, changes are coming to the legislation, and such a concept as judicial bail will be introduced. We can say that the numbers will increase several times... This complicates the access of an ordinary citizen to justice. We must also remember the cost of services of professional lawyers. A person must be able to earn money to pay for a lawyer. Everything according to Marx: first the economic basis, and then the superstructure. If a country is plunged into poverty, what human rights can we talk about?
– According to your observations, has the human rights situation in Ukraine worsened compared to last year or, perhaps, has not changed? What's the trend?
- The situation is getting worse. But globally it worsened after the arrival of the new government. I am not a supporter of the previous government, I was on the Maidan, but, as a sane person, I don’t want to deceive myself or people. The situation worsened dramatically then (after the victory of Euromaidan - Ed.), simply dramatically. And now we are seeing a trend of further stagnation and simply decay of all institutions...
– What can be done to improve the situation?
– To correct the situation, it is necessary to correct it... But who will do this? That's another question. The algorithm is simple: we must end military operations and establish normal economic functioning of the country. And the improving economy will pull everything else along with it.
– Are there reasons for optimism?
– No, I remain a pessimist for now. Because I don’t see the resources and political will to correct the situation. I still see leaps and bounds towards the destruction of the country.
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