“Ensuring equality for all” was opened on 14 March in Kyiv by Hallvard Gorseth, Director of the Anti-Discrimination Department of the Council of Europe’s Second Directorate General for Democracy and Human Dignity, together with Olha Poliakova, Executive Director of Gender Stream:
“Ensuring Equality: Upholding the Rule of Law and Non-Discrimination in Ukraine”.
The Gender Stream team brought together government representatives, experts and activists to discuss improving the security of LGBTQI+ people and other socially vulnerable groups in Ukraine.
The discussion focused on the importance of enacting legislation to protect vulnerable groups from violence and hatred. In this context, a significant part of the discussion focused on the need for the adoption of draft law No. 5488 and increasing the safety of socially vulnerable groups in Ukraine.
The discussion also covered cooperation in the field of human rights protection, the improvement of anti-discrimination legislation in Ukraine and its alignment with European standards.
We would like to thank the Council of Europe for co-organising the event and for its continued support. We would also like to thank the representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Department for their active participation and support in the fight for equality and the criminalisation of hate crimes.
Our aim:
To strengthen and stimulate support for legislative initiatives to protect human rights. We therefore discussed with interested parties the next steps we can take together to strengthen protection against discrimination and violence.
This was the aim of the first discussion:
“The right to security: How can the government support key legislative initiatives?”
Moderated by Andrii Kruhlashov,
Speakers included:
- Olena Shuliak, Member of Parliament, Chair of the Committee on State Building, Local Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Deputy Member of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Parliamentary Assembly of the EU – Eastern Neighbours.
- Mariia Mezentseva, Chair of the Subcommittee on Alignment of Ukrainian Legislation with EU Law, Committee on Integration of Ukraine into the EU; Head of the Permanent Delegation to PACE.
- Olha Perunova, Deputy Head of the Human Rights Monitoring Department – Head of the Gender Equality Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
- Bohdan Pasichnyk, Head of the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Monitoring Department, Human Rights Enforcement Department, National Police of Ukraine.
During the discussion, participants and guests identified existing mechanisms for the protection of human rights, while considering gaps in legislation.
Cooperation and support between state institutions, international partners and civil society is the foundation for change. The discussion explored ways to engage stakeholders in actively promoting human rights and anti-discrimination legislative initiatives.
Representatives from the Verkhovna Rada emphasised the importance of criminalising hate crimes, highlighted the need for such legislation in Ukraine, and shared plans to raise awareness among other MPs, ministries and the public about the importance of adopting draft law No. 5488.
“Best Practices in Combating Discrimination: Perspectives for Ukraine” was the second panel, where speakers focused on finding practical solutions to address discrimination faced by vulnerable groups.
What was discussed?
By analysing the problems, ways to address them were explored. In addition, communication with the audience generated new ideas for cooperation between institutions and organisations.
The discussion was attended by representatives of civil society organisations defending vulnerable groups and international organisations.
It was moderated by Anna Savchynska,
Speakers included
- Evgenia Giakoumopoulou, Head of the Division of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Self-Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), Council of Europe
- Anastasiia Chebotarova, Head of Advocacy and Communications Group, HIAS Ukraine
- Olha Poliakova, Executive Director, Gender Stream NGO
- Uliana Pcholkina, Deputy Chairperson of the Board, Active Rehabilitation Group NGO
- Viktor Pylypenko, Head, Ukrainian LGBTQI+ Military for Equality NGO
- Yulian Kondur, Coordinator, International Charity Organisation “Roma Women’s Fund Chiricli”.
The UnConference became an effective dialogue for cooperation between international partners and civil society. The involvement of government representatives in such events is crucial to achieving real legislative change.
We would like to thank the speakers for participating in the discussions and working with us to find solutions to overcome discrimination and violence in Ukraine. We would also like to thank the guests for being active members of Ukrainian society and for joining us in making socially significant changes!
This event once again highlighted the importance of the adoption of Law No. 5488 and reminded us that compliance with international standards for the protection of vulnerable groups is an essential part of Ukraine’s European integration process. Respecting the rights of each individual, ensuring equality and non-discrimination remain fundamental principles of a democratic society.
We are committed to the swift adoption of draft law No. 5488 so that future sessions can focus on its implementation!