11.09.2013

Kryvy Rih family to receive 1000 EUR for protracted court proceedings

The court proceedings examination of the law suit brought by Anatoly Makarovych Bily and Lidia Ivanivna Bila against the Kryvy Rih Housing Enterprise No. 35 [KHE No. 35] lasted over 6 years.

09.09.2013

Who has an interest in banning independent heating in Ukraine?

A draft law is proposing to prohibit people from disconnecting themselves from the centralized heat distribution networks and centralized hot water supplier. Such disconnection is possible only if is permitted by the heating supply plans of the particular inhabited area. The Cabinet of Ministers is, in addition, proposing to introduce fines if people disconnect themselves from centralized heat distribution networks.

15.08.2013

Brutal protest suppression, but another Ukrainian spring is coming

Seven years ago the Orange Revolution erupted. History of the events already resembles a folk tale. Some adamantly believe that the Revolution was a set-up, that there was a price for going out to protest and that the poisoning of Viktor Yanukovich was a media stunt. I know others who wholeheartedly believed in change and went to the protests every day, engaged in discussion or, like my hairdresser, simply brought fried chicken legs for their politically active offspring.

12.08.2013

Human rights activist Groysman posthumously acquitted in “pornography case”

The Vinnytsa City Court today acquitted human rights activist Dmytro Groysman who died on 5 August. The last hearing into his case took place two days later, on 7 August. The human rights defender was charged with circulating pornography and desecration of the State flag.

06.08.2013

On 5 August our colleague, Dmytro Groysman died of a heart attack

The human rights community has lost one of its most prominent individuals, a person for whom there were no restrictions or authorities when confronting injustice.

01.08.2013

Recommendations to government prepared on effective personal data protection

Participants in a conference entitled “Can Ukraine protect people’s personal data”, after analyzing the situation with personal data protection in Ukraine, came to the conclusion that in order to enhance personal data protection, the following is needed.

29.07.2013

National Roundtable on Quality of Legal Aid

On 23 July at the Hotel Radison Blue a national roundtable on ensuring quality in legal aid for criminal cases was held, organized by the National Association of Advocates of Ukraine; the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union; the Ukrainian Legal Aid Foundation; the International Renaissance Foundation, with the support of the Justice Ministry and the Legal Aid Coordination Centre.

19.07.2013

Ukraine – Civil society activist Ms Raisa Radchenko subjected to forced psychiatric treatment

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Ukraine to overturn the court order and consequently release Raisa Radchenko from the psychiatric hospital where she is being kept, as Front Line Defenders believes this measure may have been taken solely as a result of her legitimate human rights work and her exercise of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression

18.07.2013

Civic activist? Psychiatrists are already in wait!

16.07.2013

Ukraine reported to UN on improvements and human rights groups spoiled it all

On 8-9 July 2013 Ukraine reported to the UN on observance in the country of civil and political rights. Clearly the government’s report was all about the “improvements that have taken place in Ukraine over recent years.

12.07.2013

Annual report 2012

Dear colleagues, partners, sponsors and all those who care about the human rights situation in our country. On behalf of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union I would like to thank you for your understanding and support for our work. Thanks to you dozens of people each day receive help and protection from arbitrary treatment by officials.

10.07.2013

Man who accused police of torture disappears before trial begins

In recommendations on how to behave in contact with the police, human rights groups advise people to never go to the police station if you haven’t received a summons. An invitation by telephone is not grounds for going. Even with a summons do not go there alone. Take relatives, a lawyer. The reason for such measures is simple – otherwise you could disappear.

09.07.2013

Why Independence is the stepping-stone to Human Rights

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This passage from the Declaration of Independence, written by its principle author, an American Founding Father and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, in 1776, has become, not only inspirational and influential, but the foundation and core of American political legitimacy, American political tradition, and most importantly sovereignty of the people.

03.07.2013

Ukrainians banned from picketing the President. So as not to upset ordinary citizens

On 13 June the District Administrative Court in Kyiv banned all Ukrainian citizens without exception from holding protests on Bankova and Lutheranska Street. The ban was imposed for 7 months. The Interior Minister considers that protests could arouse “discontent among ordinary citizens and residents of adjacent buildings. Going by the resolution one can assume that the judge was intimidated.

03.07.2013

Aviation and rail workers face labour discrimination

In Ukraine it is quite common for written labour contracts to be drawn up in the transport sphere, including aviation and the railways. Employers effectively force their staff to sign such a contract the provisions of which have more negative, than positive consequences. They forget that a labour contract can be drawn up only with certain categories of staff.

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