On 28-30 September 2015, International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law” (EPL) jointly with the National School of Judges of Ukraine at financial support of USAID Fair Justice Project held a training for judges – trainers of the course “Human rights and environmental protection” on the basis of methodological materials developed by EPL.
Materials for the course “Human rights and environmental protection” were presented to judges with the aim to increase effectiveness of the judicial system for protection of the environment and environmental rights of citizens and promotion of better judges’ understanding of importance to improve access to justice for citizens and CSOs for protection of their environmental rights, human rights and for advancing sustainable development.
In the course of the training participants worked on the following modules:
- Environmental protection, environmental rights and human rights: relations in international law
- Procedural standing.
- Means of legal protection.
- Court fees and other material factors related to access to justice in environmental matters.
Much attention was paid to analysis of provisions of the Aarhus Convention, practical problems of their application in courts, in particular for protection of violated right to environmental information.
As a result of the training, participants not only gained knowledge and practical skills regarding implementation of the course on environmental protection and human rights but also there was formed the team of trainers who are convinced that it is necessary to preserve environment, raise environmental awareness of not only ordinary citizens but also of judges, among others via implementation of the innovative course “Human rights and environmental protection” by the National School of Judges of Ukraine.
Approbation of the course “Human rights and environmental protection” will take place on 7-8 December 2015 in Lviv at Lviv regional branch of the National School of Judges of Ukraine.
For further information please contact:
Iryna Voytiuk, member of EPL’s Executive Board
Email: irynavot@ukr.net; office@epl.org.ua
Tel.: (032) 225 – 76 – 82
Olena Kravchenko
EPL Executive director
Email: okravchenko@epl.org.ua; office@epl.org.ua
Tel : (032) 225 – 76 – 82
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International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law” (EPL) was founded in 1994 and works on the national and international levels with the aim to provide free legal assistance to citizens and legal units for protection of their environmental rights and the environment. EPL does awareness-raising in the sphere of environment preservation, development of environmental science and culture in Ukraine and abroad, works to enforce environmental legislation in Ukraine and reformation of the national legal system to bring it into compliance with international standards of human rights and the environment, builds jurisprudence for protection of citizens’ rights and promoting awareness in the field of environmental law for protection of the environment and culture.
The National School of Judges is a state institution with a special status ensuring training of highly competent professionals for the judicial system and carrying out research.
The National School of Judges of Ukraine ensures organization of specialized training for candidates for judge’s position, training of judges appointed to the position for the first time, judges appointed permanently, judges occupying administrative positions in courts, periodical training for judges with the aim to raise qualification level, training for court administration staff, carrying out research on improvement of judicature; learning international experience of organization of court functioning; academic and methodological support for functioning of courts of general jurisdiction, High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the Supreme Council of Justice.
USAID Fair Justice Project has been working in Ukraine since October 2011. Activities of the project are based on achievements of the previous USAID Ukraine Rule of Law Project implemented from May 2006 till September 2011. The goal of the project is to promote establishing the rule of law in Ukraine via support for judicial reforms, raising the level of transparency and accountability of the judicial system, improvement of citizens’ awareness of functioning of the judicial system and raising social trust to the judicial power. Detailed information on USAID Fair Justice Project can be found at the official web-site www.fair.org.ua or at tel. +38 (044) 581-3303.
American people via United States Agency for International Development provide economic and humanitarian support all over the world for over 50 years. In Ukraine USAID assistance is provided in the following spheres: economic development, democracy and governance, public health and social sector. Starting from 1992, the United States Agency for International Development has provided to Ukraine technical and humanitarian support worth 1,7 million USD. Further information on USAID programs in Ukraine can be obtained at the official USAID web-site at http://ukraine.usaid.gov and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/USAIDUkraine
