06.07.2026

A special commemorative event was held on 25 June to mark the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Constitution. The event was attended by judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Vodiannikov, Viktor Gorodovenko, Alla Oliinyk, Oleg Pervomayskyi, and Galyna Yurovska, as well as Senior Project Manager at the Council of Europe (CoE) office in Ukraine of the “Further Support for Constitutional Justice Reforms in Ukraine” project Siuzanna Mnatsakanian. The event was also attended by representatives of European institutions, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, academics, students from higher education institutions and pupils from the Junior Academy of Sciences.

Opening the event, judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Galyna Yurovska emphasised that, against the backdrop of the launch of the first cluster on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, the study of European law, languages and the practice of European courts has taken on particular significance. She also highlighted the important role of the Council of Europe’s project “Further Support for Constitutional Justice in Ukraine” in this process. Galyna Yurovska emphasised that, thanks to the reliable and ongoing support of international partners, we feel that we are not alone in these difficult times and that we are fighting together for our independence and our European future.

Greetings from representatives of European and international institutions added a special sense of solemnity to the event. In their speeches, the speakers expressed deep respect for the courageous struggle of Ukrainians for their statehood, freedom, territorial integrity and democratic future. They emphasised that the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine is a significant milestone, proving that the Constitution is not merely a legal text, but a living social contract on the values of freedom, human dignity and the rule of law.

It was particularly emphasised that the Constitution is designed not only for ordinary times, but also for times of crisis. It serves as the bedrock of the state and society precisely when they face their greatest trials. Its true significance is realised through the day-to-day work of institutions, in court rulings, in the accountability of state authorities, and above all – in citizens’ confidence that the state upholds the rule of law and serves the interests of the people.

Speakers emphasised that adherence to the Constitution and respect for human rights form the foundation of democracy and are an indispensable prerequisite for lasting peace, stability and prosperity. Representatives of the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission, bodies responsible for constitutional oversight, reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine on its steady path towards the European Union.

The Director General of the Council of Europe’s Directorate General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Gianluca Esposito; the Head of the Centre for International Law at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and member of the Venice Commission, Veronika Bílková; the President of the Sixth Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Ineta Ziemele; judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania, Vytautas Mizaras; and Head of the Ukraine and Vietnam Programme at the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ), Angela Schmeink expressed their support and offered words of encouragement to the Ukrainian people. Greetings were also conveyed via video message by Judge of the European Court of Human Rights Mykola Gnatovskyy; judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Gambia, Idrissa Fafa M’Baye; President of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic Ivan Fiačan; and retired judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany and Professor of Public Law and Gender Studies at Humboldt University in Berlin, Susanne Bayer.

During the event, Galyna Yurovska delivered a thematic presentation on the origins and stages of the development of Ukrainian constitutionalism. In particular, the judge focused on the historical background, covering the period from the “Ruska Pravda” and the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk to the adoption of the current Constitution of Ukraine. She highlighted the key milestones in the constitutional process, from the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty on 16 July 1990 to the historic night when the Constitution was adopted in 1996. The speaker paid particular attention to the substantive content of the Constitution of Ukraine, specifically its Preamble and Chapter II, which enshrines the rights, freedoms and duties of the individual and the citizen.

An interactive themed quiz was held for the students and pupils taking part in the event. Based on the results, the winner was student of the Faculty of Public Prosecution at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Dmytro Mytchyk, who also took part in the competition for the best academic article.

At the conclusion of the event, Constitutional Court of Ukraine judges Galyna Yurovska and Alla Oliinyk, as well as Senior Project Manager at the Council of Europe (CoE) office in Ukraine of the “Further Support for Constitutional Justice Reforms in Ukraine” project Siuzanna Mnatsakanian, addressed the audience with warm greetings. Judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Alla Oliinyk, emphasised that we are sincerely proud of our country and love it, and expressed her hope that peace would come as soon as possible so that Ukrainians could live in a truly democratic state governed by the rule of law. Siuzanna Mnatsakanian, in turn, expressed her hope that the Constitution of Ukraine would always serve as a solid foundation for democratic development and a just peace, and that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine would be its independent and wise guardian; she also expressed her gratitude for the joint efforts to promote European values in our country.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/GNoIqfi4Cuk