October 8 – Lawyer’s Day Celebrating Those Who Stand for Truth

Every day, the East SOS lawyers prove that their mission is to stand firmly for truth and justice and help people affected by the war.

People come to them with hundreds of questions:
“Where should I turn for help?”
“What documents do I need?”
“What if I can’t get my property back?”
“How can I get compensation for my damaged home?”
“How can I recover my passport?”
“Can I get everything sorted out by tomorrow?”
“What steps should I take first post-evacuation?”

And countless others.

Our colleagues almost always know the answers. And when they don’t, they look for them. They explain laws and rights in plain language, support people when they feel lost, and help restore justice when it seems almost impossible.

On Lawyer’s Day, we want to remind everyone that behind every legal inquiry are people first and foremost: both those seeking help and those providing it. Today, we wish to give special thanks to our colleagues who find the strength to fight for justice for others, even when it is difficult to believe in justice themselves.

Since 2022, the East SOS Human Rights team has provided 125,811 legal services.

Behind this number are hours spent helping people in frontline hromadas, transit centers, collective sites, and Zatyshno Space hubs. Hours spent advocating for people’s rights, representing them in court, and providing consultations remotely. The issues vary, but the goal remains the same: to restore and protect the rights of Ukrainians that russia is trying to rob them of.

We thank the Legal Department at East SOS, which supports the Foundation’s mission every day. Our colleagues handle internal requests, review and help prepare contracts, provide consultations, and ensure that our work complies with the law so that our large team can work together smoothly and confidently.

We admire you and thank you for every person you have helped and every right you have successfully defended.

Thank you for listening and explaining
Thank you for thousands of consultations, applications, registry entries, documents, and decisions
Thank you for standing by people in all kinds of weather and circumstances
Thank you for defending people’s rights when it matters most
Thank you for finding ways to restore justice, even when none seem possible
Thank you for helping people find hope again
Thank you for investigating, checking, and never giving up