East SOS Joins the Signing of a Joint Statement on Draft Laws Important for Ukraine’s EU Integration, Proposed for Consideration by the Verkhovna Rada

The protection of human rights and freedoms is a fundamental requirement for Ukraine’s European integration and a necessary condition for joining the European Union. It is essential for the proper functioning of all areas of life and the respect for the values that the European community is based on.

Ahead of the 15th session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 9th convocation, human rights organizations, including East SOS, identified ten priority draft laws that need to be finalized and adopted to fulfill Ukraine’s European integration obligations. The adoption of these draft laws, together with the necessary amendments, will bring Ukrainian legislation closer to EU standards, strengthen the rule of law, and create an effective nation-level system for the protection of human rights. Furthermore, it will help eliminate existing legal loopholes in the current legislation.

The list of draft laws recommended for revision and adoption includes, in particular, the following:

• Draft Law No. 13181 On the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman)

This draft law is designed to strengthen the independent role of the Ombudsman as an institution and establish an effective nation-level mechanism for human rights protection. It requires further revision to ensure full compliance with both “The Paris Principles” and “The Venice Principles.” Its adoption will be an important step toward ensuring a systematic and independent approach to human rights protection in Ukraine.

• Draft Law No. 14278 on Digital Accessibility in Ukraine

This draft law aims to ensure the accessibility of digital services for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in accordance with EU standards. Its adoption will help implement the principles of non-discrimination, inclusion, and equal access to public services.

You can familiarize yourself with the full list of draft laws from the common position of the Ukrainian human rights community below.

Among the signatories of the document are: Human Rights Centre ZMINA, National LGBTI Consortium #LGBTI_PRO, CO 100% Life, Nash Svit (Our World) LGBT Human Rights Center, the Kharkiv Institute of Social Research, Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association JurFem, NGO Tochka Opory UA (Fulcrum UA), NGO Social Action Centre, Donbas SOS, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group, East SOS, and NGO Fight for Right.

Recently, human rights organizations also analyzed the draft laws related to the prohibition of the forced eviction of IDPs from temporary accommodation.