Verkhovna Rada cracks down on freedom of speech: MPs introduce censorship disguised as “protection of lawyers”

A journalist may now face administrative liability and a fine of up to 13,000 UAH simply for writing the sentence: “Vitalii Serdiuk was Viktor Yanukovych’s attorney.”

All this is the result of Draft Law No. 12320, which was adopted today by the Verkhovna Rada. The draft law received 262 votes in favour from a coalition of “Servants of the People”, former OPZZh MPs, and “Batkivshchyna”. In addition, MPs supported Serhii Vlasenko’s proposal to sign the law without delay. Once signed by the President, it will immediately enter into force.

The prohibition against identifying an attorney with their client is enshrined in key international instruments. Its purpose is to protect attorneys from persecution or pressure, primarily by the state and law enforcement agencies. However, Draft Law No. 12320 distorts this principle, attempting to “protect” attorneys from journalists and the public, rather than from state bodies.

It is no coincidence that the draft law emerged just as civil society began paying closer attention to issues within the Bar in Ukraine. The draft law was authored by the National Bar Association, the self-governing body of the Bar, an organisation notorious for restricting the freedom of expression among attorneys and permanently led by Lidiia Izovitova, a long-time associate of Viktor Medvedchuk.

This initiative appears to be a coordinated effort by pro-Russian forces and their sympathisers to silence journalists and further roll back democracy in Ukraine. The draft was submitted to the Rada by Hryhorii Mamka (former OPZZh), Maksym Buzhanskyi (known for his pro-Russian rhetoric), and Serhii Ionushas (from “Servants of the People”), who also heads the Parliamentary Law Enforcement Committee. A key amendment effectively banning any mention of an attorney’s involvement in a client’s case was introduced by Antonina Slavytska, an MP from the former OPZZh, known for her ties to Pavlo Vovk and her implication in leaked tapes from the District Administrative Court of Kyiv (DACK).

Draft Law No. 12320 is yet another attempt to dismantle democracy in Ukraine. We call on the President to veto this law and stop the initiative promoted by pro-Russian actors.