On September 5, 2024, the Special Report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the observance of the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples under the time of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was presented at a conference in Kyiv.
Erlend Falch, Deputy Head of the Office of the Council of Europe in Ukraine, moderated the panel, where Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, presented the main findings and recommendations of the Special Report. He said that, the purpose of the presentation of the Special Report is to identify and highlight the main trends in guaranteeing and ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities (communities) and indigenous peoples in the conditions of prolonged aggression of the Russian Federation, analysis of the consequences of aggression of the Russian Federation for national minorities (communities) in relation to violation of their rights by working out statistical information, research results, legislation regarding national minorities (communities) and indigenous peoples. The special report was devoted to issues of ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. Hallvard Gorseth, Head of the Anti-Discrimination Department of the Council of Europe confirmed the commitment of the Council of Europe for a comprehensive support to the Ombudsman's Office and its equality body mandate, especially in the context of the European integration of Ukraine.
The report, as public, will serve shaping the next activities of the Ombudsperson Office in better monitoring and protecting rights of national minorities under the current circumstances, as well as informing the activities of other state institutions.
The event was held with the support of the joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Union "Supporting the implementation of European standards on anti-discrimination and the rights of national minorities in Ukraine", in cooperation with the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
