How Should the State Protect the Rights of War Victims in 2026? Roadmap Presentation and 17 Priority Steps for the Government

On February 3, the Coalition of Organizations Working to Protect the Rights of Victims of Armed Aggression against Ukraine presented two key documents at Ukrinform: a Roadmap of draft laws and 17 Priority Steps for the Government for 2026 in the field of human rights protection in the context of war.

The Roadmap outlines draft laws aimed at protecting the rights of war victims. It identifies which initiatives the Coalition recommends for adoption by Parliament, which it does not recommend, and which require further revision. The document “17 Priority Steps for the Government for 2026” contains a set of recommendations addressed to the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Verkhovna Rada. These recommendations aim to strengthen state policy in protecting the rights of war-affected populations and to maintain ties with residents of temporarily occupied territories.

For six consecutive years, the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations has been developing strategic recommendations in this field. Unfortunately, many of these issues remain unresolved and continue to evolve, acquiring new dimensions while retaining their urgency. This year, for the first time, the Coalition’s recommendations are addressed not only to the Government and Parliament but also to the President of Ukraine.

The 17 Priority Steps for the Government for 2026 include the following recommendations:

To the President of Ukraine:

• Promote the protection of the rights of victims of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation – including residents of the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine – within the negotiation process;
• Ensure coordination of the safe departure of children and youth from the TOT of Ukraine and introduce a comprehensive model for their support and reintegration.

To the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:

• Ensure legislative support and coordination for the safe departure of children and youth from the TOT of Ukraine, as well as the introduction of a comprehensive model for their support and reintegration;
• Ensure the proper functioning of the national compensation mechanism for residential property destroyed or damaged as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine.

To the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine:

• Develop and implement a plan for the gradual resettlement of people from places of temporary accommodation;
• Improve the state system for the evacuation of civilians, particularly representatives of low-mobility groups.

This February marks 12 years since the beginning of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory remains under temporary occupation, and every day the occupying power continues to destroy Ukrainian cities and kill civilians and soldiers. Despite numerous so-called “peace initiatives” in 2025, russia has demonstrated no genuine intention to end the war against Ukraine and its people. On the contrary, it continues systematic efforts to sever the connection between residents of the temporarily occupied territories and Ukraine. In these circumstances, the development and implementation of a comprehensive state policy to protect the rights of war victims remains an urgent priority.

During the presentation, representatives of the Coalition outlined expectations for 2026 in the field of protecting the rights of war victims, identified priority legislative initiatives that should be adopted, and highlighted draft laws that could undermine victims’ rights and therefore must be rejected.

“Overcoming the consequences of hostilities and the ongoing shelling of Ukrainian settlements – particularly residential buildings and energy infrastructure, which are likely to continue in 2026 – requires coordinated and sustained efforts by the state, civil society, and international partners,” emphasized representatives of the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations.

The document (17 Priority Steps for the Government for 2026) is available below.

The documents were presented by:

• Anastasiia Burau, Head of Advocacy for the Protection of Housing, Property, and Land Rights at the Right to Protection CF;
• Natalia Yurlova, Leading Lawyer for Legislative Analysis at Donbas SOS;
• Olha Skrypnyk, Head of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group;
• Dmytro Spafarov, National Advocacy Specialist at CrimeaSOS;
• Aliona Luniova, Director of Advocacy at the ZMINA Human Rights Center.

The meeting was moderated by Oleksandra Dvoretska, human rights activist and co-founder of East SOS.

The Coalition of organizations working to protect the rights of people affected by the armed aggression against Ukraine includes: ZMINA Human Rights Center, Donbas SOS, Crimea SOS, Right to Protection, East SOS, Public Holding Group “Group of Influence,” Stabilization Support Services, Crimean Human Rights Group, and Crisis Insight.

Human rights organizations analyzed draft laws concerning the ban on the forced resettlement of internally displaced persons from places of temporary residence.