Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin – for inaction in the case of human rights violations; as a result serious crime suspects remained at large. In July 2015, investigators of the General Procurator’s Office prepared submission to the Verkhovna Rada on giving its consent to the removal of immunity, detention and arrest of Yurii Boiko. The episode is related to fraud with regard to condensed gas of Serhii Kurchenko where investigators directly called Boiko “member of a criminal organisation”. Presentation of actions of ex-minister and all related computations were submitted to the prosecutor general Shokin for signature and following direction to the Verkhovna Rada. However, according to the applicant, the document has remained immovable for three months and Boiko feels unpunished.

Judge of Solomianskyi District Court of the City of Kyiv Bobrovnyk Oleksandr Viktorovych – for violation of the right to a fair trial. According to the applicant, the judge Bobrovnyk Oleksandr Viktorovych is a daring judge offender. During the years 2013–2014, he took unlawful decisions which caused grave consequences for Kucheriavenko Oleksandr Vasyliovych. On this fact the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine started criminal proceedings against judge Bobrovnyk. However, using the inaction of the prosecution, judge Bobrovnyk continues to manipulate by procedure, to render new consciously unjust judgements, destroy unique case evidences (original covenant), and to scoff cynically at justice in other ways.

National Bank of Ukraine – for the adoption of a regulation that has resulted in discrimination against a big group of persons on the grounds of place of registration. The adoption of the NBU Board Resolution No.  699 dated 03.11.2014 had led to discrimination against people whose registered residence was in the Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. They were recognised as non-residents of Ukraine.

Member of Parliament Kostiantyn Mateichenko – for the most dangerous legislative initiative in the field of human rights, which was manifested in the submission to Parliament of bill No. 2225 according to which there can be introduced criminal liability for criticizing the government.

Colonel Buhyra Victor Petrovych – for the use of unlawful methods of investigation regarding 15-year-old teenager Artem Kotkov and for fabricating charges of murder which the teenager (according to the applicant) had not committed.

Human rights protection is the same “asset” of a state as minerals or qualified labour. It is not possible to attract serious investors with long-term business development programs to the countries with low levels of human rights, poorly functioning system of justice and corrupt law enforcement agencies. Therefore, the “Thistle” makes not only social sense, but also has a very specific economic meaning for our country.

More information about the nominees who were candidates for “Thistle of the Year” can be read at: http://helsinki.org.ua/index.php?id=1448364432

The event is supported by the Swedish Government