On 25 July 2024, an Expert Council meeting under the auspices of the Ukrainian Ombudsperson’s Representative on Social and Economic Rights was held with participation and support of the Council of Europe project “Enhanced social protection in Ukraine" in hybrid format.

During the meeting Ms Olena Kolobrodova, the Representative of the Ukrainian Ombudsperson on Social and Economic Rights, made a presentation of the annual report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights for 2023 which summarized the work of the Ombudsperson’s Office in 2023, including the activities implemented in co-operation with the Council of Europe in the area of social rights.

Ms Kolobrodova drew attention to the consequences of military actions, particularly violations of social and economic rights, and the rights of children, who have become the most vulnerable in this situation. She emphasized the importance of the Commissioner's activities in resolving issues related to the return of prisoners of war, as well as the significant role in implementing point 4 of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, aimed at ensuring a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict. The annual report of the Ukrainian Ombudsperson can be found at the following link.

Additionally, members of the Expert Council discussed the right to a safe environment: the need to improve environmental safety legislation, the importance of adapting legal norms to modern challenges and society's needs in preserving natural resources, and the importance of access to public information in this area.

The Council of Europe project "Enhanced social protection in Ukraine" is implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine "Resilience, Recovery, Reconstruction" for 2023-2026. It aims to ensure that persons from vulnerable groups, in particular, the population affected by the war, enjoy a higher level of social rights and social protection.