UKRAINE: Strengthening the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Twinning)

In 2014, after the tragic events of Maidan, Ukraine took a decisive step towards its European future. The Ukraine-EU Association Agreement was signed, establishing a platform for cooperation and convergence of Ukraine’s and EU policy, legislation and regulation across a broad range of areas, in particular democratisation and human rights. One of the aims of the association between Ukraine and EU is to enhance cooperation in the fields of justice, freedom and security with the aim of reinforcing the rule of law. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms will guide all cooperation, as the principle of observance of human rights is basic for any sustainable development and reform and crucial for their success. Considering such an approach, improvements of the national human rights protection system are of special importance.

Objectives of the project:

The capacities of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) were strengthened to ensure the effective prevention of violations of human rights and freedoms as well as efficient responses to any detected violations. In addition, legislation and administrative practices were improved by carrying out structural changes and developing internal procedures in accordance with good European practices, ensuring that public servants within the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights are aware of European experiences.

Key result areas:

The activities of this project focused around the following three result areas:

• Bringing the legal framework concerning the activities of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and her Apparatus in compliance with good European practices regarding the prevention of violations, the protection and the restoration of human rights

Developing proposals regarding the approximation of the Ukrainian regulatory legal framework to EU good practices in the area of human rights; proposing draft changes to the regulatory legal framework governing the activities of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights; analysing the efficiency of monitoring methodologies and sharing experiences with regard to their application; sharing experiences and developing improvements with regard to organising responses to and control over the implementation of recommendations.

• Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Apparatus of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

Developing methodologies and procedures of monitoring of respect for human rights and freedoms, ensuring prevention of human rights violations; improving the effectiveness of the activity of the Ombudsperson to eliminate violations of human rights, as well as control over the implementation of her/his recommendations; improving instruments to restore violated rights, including protection of personal data, access to public information and prevention of all forms of discrimination.

• Introducing an advanced training system for the personnel of the Apparatus of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights based on good European practices

Developing curriculum and training programmes and preparing teaching and training aids; implementing a training of future trainers; conducting and supervising pilot training courses.

Project implementation started in January 2017, the official kick-off meeting took place in Kiev on 3 February 2017.

From 20-24 November 2017, a 10-person delegation from the Apparatus of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights came to Vienna for a study visit.

The project ended in December 2018, the official closing event took place in Kiev on 7 December 2018.

The Reference Book to the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Twinning Project provides easy access to these and is also available for download in the download section.