The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union has addressed a letter to Volodymyr Lytvyn, Parliamentary Speaker expressing support for the candidacy of Kateryna Levchenko, President of the International Women’s Human Rights Centre La Strada – Ukraine for the post of Human Rights Ombudsperson.

“We are convinced that the post should be filled by a representative of civic society with broad practical experience of defending human rights in Ukraine and an unblemished reputation. Kateryna Levchenko is just such a candidate.

We call on you in electing an Ombudsperson to move away from political competition and to be guided by concern for improving the human rights situation in the country. View this post not as the next trophy in the battle between the majority and opposition but as an effective instrument for defending human rights.

We ask you to support the candidate from civic society, Kateryna Levchenko and for the first time in the entire history of independent Ukraine to surprise Ukrainians and the European community with objectivity and lack of bias”.

The letter is signed by the UHHRU Executive Director, Arkady Bushchenko. “We are convinced that the post should be filled by a representative of civic society with broad practical experience of defending human rights in Ukraine and an unblemished reputation. Kateryna Levchenko is just such a candidate.

We call on you in electing an Ombudsperson to move away from political competition and to be guided by concern for improving the human rights situation in the country. View this post not as the next trophy in the battle between the majority and opposition but as an effective instrument for defending human rights.

We ask you to support the candidate from civic society, Kateryna Levchenko and for the first time in the entire history of independent Ukraine to surprise Ukrainians and the European community with objectivity and lack of bias”.

The letter is signed by the UHHRU Executive Director, Arkady Bushchenko.