Yuschenko calls for judges to restore confidence in judicial branch of power

15:59

Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has called for judges who were appointed to their posts for the first time to restore confidence in the country's judicial branch of power.

He announced this after an oath-taking ceremony for judges in Kyiv on Thursday.

"To protect justice is a great mission for the courts and judges," Yuschenko said.

He said that newly elected judges are young people who start their professional career "in a very difficult period."

Yuschenko said that the nation had never seen such a fall in confidence in the various branches of power, including the court system. He said that if this continues, millions of people will sooner or later say: "we do not need this kind of court system."

Yuschenko expressed hope that those judges who had just taken the oath would change the situation.

"Today, the course should be set for effective reform of the judicial system," he said, adding that it is necessary to change the professional and social status of judges.