About the Council of Europe
About the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine
The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine officially started its activities on 6 October 2006.
Its status is based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment in Ukraine Council of Europe Office and its legal status.
The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (hereinafter – the Office) facilitates the implementation of the Council of Europe's mission in the country on human rights protection, democracy support and the rule of law, and coordinates and implements cooperation projects and programs.
Nowadays, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine is the largest CoE office in the field with more than 60 professionals.
The Office plays a leading, coordinating role in implementing measures to implement the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine, programs, and projects aimed at supporting Ukraine in fulfilling its statutory and specific obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe.
Actions are developed and implemented in areas of the Council of Europe expertise and added value.
One of the key tasks of the Office is to strengthen the role of the Council of Europe in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine.
Following the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and the subsequent decision of the Committee of Ministers to exclude the Russian Federation from the Organisation, the Council of Europe immediately adjusted its support to Ukraine in response to the national partners’ requests and needs. The Priority Adjustments to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2022 (hereinafter – the Priority Adjustments) were adopted by the Committee of Ministers in Turin on 20 May and were then implemented throughout 2022, thus contributing to the national reconstruction efforts, guided by the Government of Ukraine’s National Recovery and Development Plan, aimed at rebuilding a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. The Council of Europe remains fully committed to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 (hereinafter – the Action Plan) has been prepared in close consultation with the Ukrainian authorities, as a response to the determination and resolve of Ukraine’s authorities and people to engage in rebuilding the country. The proposed measures, based on Council of Europe standards, are aimed at accompanying the reconstruction process and economic recovery in Ukraine with support to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian public institutions, to enhance democratic governance and the rule of law and to protect citizens’ fundamental rights.
The document builds on the progress achieved by Ukraine in meeting Council of Europe standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, notably within the previous Action Plan 2018-2022 and its Priority Adjustments and is aimed to continue supporting the country’s efforts to honour its obligations as a Council of Europe member State. The Action Plan priorities take into account decisions, resolutions, recommendations, report conclusions and opinions issued by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CM), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (the Congress), the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (the Commissioner), the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and other advisory and monitoring bodies of the Organisation.
The Action Plan is also aimed to support Ukraine’s European perspective reform agenda, following the decision by the European Council on 23 June 2022 to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine, and the commitment made at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano (Switzerland), on 4-5 July 2022, to link Ukraine’s European perspective and the recovery process. The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 will address immediate and medium-term needs of the country in areas where the Council of Europe has expertise.
While some interventions planned in the document are in continuity with the previous co-operation in the framework of the Priority Adjustments, some new areas have been added in agreement with Ukrainian authorities focusing on a longer-term perspective of implementation once the situation on the ground allows.
The proposed actions were developed to delivering also on the steps outlined in the European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's membership application.
The Action Plan is a result of a structured dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities and other relevant actors with a view to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience, recovery and reconstruction efforts in the areas of human rights, rule of law and democracy in line also with the Guiding Principles for Ukraine’s Recovery Process (“Lugano Principles”).
This also includes a parliamentary dimension where appropriate aimed at increasing the impact of actions of the Parliament and ensuring ownership by the members of Verkhovna Rada.
The Action Plan provides a four-year framework for co-operation while offering the flexibility required to respond to evolving needs in the current volatile context and high-risk environment. As a living document, it will be updated as needed in line with developments in the country to adapt priorities to emerging needs. Risks and threats mitigation strategies and management mechanisms will be evaluated and discussed with the Ukrainian authorities.
The overall budget for the four-year co-operation framework is estimated at €50 million.
The Council of Europe in brief
Council of Europe and Ukraine
Ukraine became the 37th member State of the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995. The Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe started its work.
The Council of Europe, through co-operation, accompanies the country in its efforts to bring legislation, institutions and practice further into line with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy and, through this, to support the country in meeting its obligations as a Council of Europe member State.
On July 17, 1997, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the ECHR, which entered into force for Ukraine on September 11 of the same year. Due to this, Ukrainians have the right, after using all national remedies, to file a complaint about the violation of Ukraine's rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention to the European Court of Human Rights.
To support Ukraine in fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe, Action Plans have been implemented since 2005 – strategic program documents with a certain period of validity. The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 is currently being implemented. The Plan implements a number of projects to promote respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine. The Action Plan provides a four-year framework for co-operation while offering the flexibility required to respond to evolving needs in the current volatile context and high-risk environment. As a living document, it will be updated as needed in line with developments in the country to adapt priorities to emerging needs. Risks and threats mitigation strategies and management mechanisms will be evaluated and discussed with the Ukrainian authorities. The overall budget for the four-year co-operation framework is estimated at €50 million.
On 16-17 May 2023, at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, Heads of State and Government of the organisation’s 46 member states have decided to establish a Register of damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression as a first step towards an international compensation mechanism. The leaders agreed to strengthen the Council of Europe and its work in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law by adopting a declaration on democracy principles, recommitting to the European Convention on Human Rights and developing tools to tackle emerging challenges in the area of technology and the environment.
Coordinating cooperation
The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination (DPC) manages Council of Europe cooperation activities in member states and non-member states in its neighbourhood. These cooperation activities are undertaken to help these countries reach Council of Europe standards in human rights, rule of law and democracy.
The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination ensures the strategic programming of these activities and mobilises resources for their implementation, while co-ordinating the Council of Europe's action with other organisations and agencies. The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination is also responsible for coordinating the Council of Europe Offices and Programme Offices, which play an active part in identifying and implementing projects and in raising funds for their execution.
Ukraine // 46 States, one Europe
Action of the Council of Europe in Ukraine
Prevention of torture
The European Committee for the prevention of torture visits places of detention (for juvenile or immigration detainees, police stations, psychiatric hospitals) in order to assess how persons deprived of their liberty are treated.
Fight against racism
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is an independent monitoring body which provides member States with concrete and practical advice on how to tackle problems of racism and intolerance in their country.
Protection of social rights
The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The European Committee of Social Rights rules on the conformity of the situation in States with the European Social Charter, the 1988 Additional Protocol and the Revised European Social Charter.
Protection of minorities
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities provides for a monitoring system to evaluate how the treaty is implemented in State Parties. An advisory Committee adopts recommendations to improve minority protection.
Fight against corruption
The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) monitors member states' compliance with the Council of Europe anti-corruption standards with the objective to improve the capacity of its members to fight corruption.
Fight against money laundering
MONEYVAL Committee of experts
The committee evaluates the effectiveness of domestic measures to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Council of Europe member states which are not members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Council of Europe member states which are members of MONEYVAL but subsequently become members of the FATF can elect to retain full membership of MONEYVAL. Applicant states for membership and other non-member states which are not members of the FATF may apply to join the terms of reference under certain conditions.
COP198
The Conference of the Parties under the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (CETS No. 198) monitors the proper implementation of the Convention by the Parties.
Democracy through Law
The European Commission for Democracy through Law - the Venice Commission - is an advisory body on constitutional matters which plays a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage
Fight against trafficking in human beings
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is responsible for monitoring implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the Parties. It regularly publishes evaluation reports.
Justice system
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)
The aim of the CEPEJ is the improvement of the efficiency and functioning of justice in the member States.
Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE)
This consultative body to the Committee of Ministers prepares opinions, promotes the implementation of Rec(2000)19 and collects information about the functioning of prosecution services in Europe.
Art and donations
The Council of Europe’s various buildings are home to an extensive collection of works of art. Member and non-member states, regional and local authorities, and even artists themselves have donated works of art to the Council. These gifts symbolise their donors’ attachment to one of the oldest of Europe’s political organisations. They are a tangible expression of support for an organisation that views human rights as the focal point of society, as well as acknowledging that creative artists play a vital part in shaping attitudes and behaviour.
Tapestry Donated by Ukraine in 2006
