Before the first match of EURO 2012 in Kiev traveling exhibition "Human Rights Offside" was open. On the examples of real human stories of victims of "unfair game" Exhibition showed the most important problems of human rights violations in Ukraine over the past two years, including: political repression, censorship, dispersal of peaceful assemblies, torture, unfair trials and etcetera.

Human rights activists say: Ukraine leaves the position of one of the most democratic countries of the former Soviet Union. It is possible to stop regression only with the active participation of the local civil society and under attention of the international community.

Our life, like football, has clear rules, say the organizers. Unfortunately, in Ukraine, the rules are constantly violated, and human rights have for the long time been offside. And those responsible for it are "the organizers of matches" and "unfair referees".

According to Yevhen Zakharov, co-chairman of the Kharkiv Human Rights Group: "In Ukraine, unfortunately, “unfair referees” not only violate the rules. Moreover – they replace the rules in course of the game, depending on the results. This is a complete disrespect to human rights and the rule of law in general”.

On behalf of the organizers Olexandra Matviychuk, Chairperson of the Center for Civil Liberties, urges Ukrainians to enter the field and catch the ball, because fair game should be guaranteed not only in football, but also in everyday life!

The exhibition was attended by human rights defenders Neil Clark, Director of the Minority Rights Group (UK); Danil Mescheryakov, Program director of the Moscow Helsinki Group (Russian Federation); Euhen Sverstuk, writer and doctor of philosophy; Ivan Pocuch, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic in Ukraine; Natalya Katerynchuk, Deputy Director General of the Channel “TVi”; Irena Karpa, writer, and independent journalist.  Heroes of the photos shared own experience of human rights violations, including: Rostislav Shaposhnikov, the head of "Road Control"; Kristina Bevz, wife of one of the "Vasylkiv terrorists”; Zoya Karpylenko mother of  27-year old Sergei Karpylenko tortured to death by the police and others.

The exhibition will be open for visits 8-9 June 2012, 10.00 a.m. – 8 p.m. On 10th of June Exhibition will travel to the Hostynna Republic – camp of the protesters against destruction of the historical sights of Kiev and will be re-open there at 2 p.m. Entrance is free. In June, the exhibition will go on a tour through Ukrainian cities which host the Football Championship. The exhibition will be on display in the open air before the football matches in Lviv (12 June), Kharkiv (16 June) and Donetsk (June 22d) accompanied by street performances.

Partners of the event were prominent Ukrainian NGOs, including: Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Kharkiv Human Rights Group, Association of Ukrainian monitorsfor  human rights in law enforcement, the International Women's Rights Center "La Strada-Ukraine", Lion's Society, Center for Legal and Political Studies "SIM", Donetsk Memorial, Donetsk Regional Committee of Voters of Ukraine, Youth Human Rights Group – Kharkov, “Public Alternative”, “Debate Academy" and others.

The exhibition is organized by: NGO "Centre for Civil Liberties" in partnership with the Czech organization «People in Need». General Partner of the exhibition in Kiev is Scientific-Cultural and Entertainment Center ATMASFERA 360. Informational support is provided by Human Rights Information Centre. Informational partners of the exhibition are Agency "Ukrainian News" and Portal “tochka.net.”