On January 27, 2020, from 10:00 through 13:00 leading human rights organizations will hold a round table “Protection of civic activists: main challenges of the 2019”. The event will take place in business conference-hall “Inveria” (Kyiv, 49A, Volodymyrska str.).

A right to protect, promote and implement human rights belongs to every human being. Special role here is given to human right defenders and civic activists who promote new human rights standards, ensure that the government execute its obligations, and protect in any other way community interests. In Ukraine such activity often face prejudice, obstacles and even pressure.

Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Information Center on Human Rights “ZMINA”, and NGO “Truth Hounds” with a support of Freedom House in Ukraine conducted a research of above-listed facts in 2019 and prepared an analytical report. This report will be presented at the event.

The main aim of the analytical reports “Situation with Human Right Defenders and Civic Activists in Ukraine in 2019” is to better security aspects of work of human right defenders and civic activists. In order to reach this aim, above-mentioned organizations analyzed international documents, conditions in which human right activity and civic activism of separate individuals and organizations in Ukraine is happening. In addition, report covers all key problems, which human right and civic activists face, provides certain cases of pressure on human right defenders and civic activists. Report contains infograpich materials, which illustrate peak periods of attacks on human right defenders and civic activists, regions, where the rights of human right defenders and civic activists were violated most, and covers different types of violations etc.

During the round table, participants will discuss the topics as follows:

1. Ways of pressure on civic activists in Ukraine in 2019.
2. Work of the network of monitors on documentation of attacks and pressure on civic activists.
3. Recommendations for government authorities and civil society, which will help to increase effectiveness of protection of civic activists.
4. Legal issues in the area of protection of civic activists.
5. Law enforcements: what can be done to protect civic activists right now.
6. Investigation of crimes against activists in 2019.
7. Work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the field of protection of civic activists.

Speakers of the event:

Matthew Schaaf, Freedom House office in Ukraine;

Vyacheslav Likhachov, Information Center on Human Rights “ZMINA”;

Roman Avraamenko, NGO “Truth Hounds”;

Myroslav Lavrinok, UHHRU;

Oleksandr Pavlichenko, UHHRU;

Hanna Rozhkova, UMDPL Association;

Igor Vasyliv, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

It is expected that MPs, representatives of the National Police of Ukraine and Prosecutor’s Office will participate in the event.

If you would like to receive more information about the event please contact Mr. Maksym Petrov, UHHRU at +38 0954834845 or email [email protected]

Event is supported by Freedom House office in Ukraine