04.02.2026
Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Viktor Gorodovenko and Galyna Yurovska, at the invitation of the President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Mattias Guyomar, took part in a solemn hearing of the ECHR on the occasion of the opening of the judicial year, and also joined a judicial seminar entitled “Defending media pluralism and the democratic process in challenging times”, which took place on 30 January 2026.
This year's discussion focused on issues related to protecting freedom of expression, ensuring democratic processes and justice in the face of complex challenges. In particular, the key topics were: media pluralism and the right to information; freedom of information and the powers of the European Union with regard to restrictive measures; the integrity of the democratic process and judicial control; and the free expression of the will of the people as a prerequisite for the protection of the democratic state system.
During the thematic sessions, presentations were given by Professor of International Law, Charles University, Veronika Bílková, Professor of EU Law, University of Naples Roberto Mastroianni, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Austria Christoph Grabenwarter, and President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia Irēna Kucina. The closing remarks were delivered by ECHR Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy.
The judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine joined the discussion of the issues outlined, sharing their views on the current challenges for constitutional justice in the context of protecting freedom of expression and strengthening democratic processes.
In her speech, Judge Galyna Yurovska described the daily reality of life in Ukraine during massive rocket attacks targeting critical civilian infrastructure. Despite severe frosts, lack of light and heating, sleepless nights spent wearing several layers of clothing, Ukrainians remain resilient, utility workers work tirelessly to restore systems day and night, and courts are performing their duties amid constant air raid sirens and unstable electricity and heat supplies, because it is important that democratic institutions continue to exist, she stressed.
The speaker noted that Ukraine is defending itself not only with weapons, but also with the very idea that law, responsibility and democracy must be preserved even in darkness and cold. Concluding her speech, Galyna Yurovska thanked those present for their support of Ukraine and stressed that the solidarity of European colleagues gives Ukrainians the strength to continue the struggle day after day.
During the visit, judges Viktor Gorodovenko and Galyna Yurovska held a series of working meetings with the leadership and representatives of structural units of the Council of Europe and the Secretariat of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), during which they discussed issues of constitutional control in the context of global challenges and European integration processes.
In particular, meetings were held with Director Human Rights of the Council of Europe Claire Ovey, Director of the Department for the Implementation of Human Rights, Justice and Legal Co-operation Standards Lilja Gretarsdottir, Legal Adviser of the Secretariat of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) Vahe Demirtshyan, and representatives of the Council of Europe Project “Further support to the constitutional justice reforms in Ukraine”.
During the visit, special attention was paid to meetings with Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, Mykola Gnatovskyy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe Mykola Tochitsky and Head of the Department of Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights Pavlo Pushkar.
During the working visit, the parties confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation between the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the institutions of the Council of Europe with a view to strengthening the rule of law and jointly seeking effective responses to the contemporary challenges facing democratic institutions.
Click to watch the speech by Judge Galyna Yurovska
