Ukraine - Universal Periodic Review

Session reviewed: 28^th session of the Universal Periodic Review
Date reviewed: November 15, 2017

Recommendation

Canada congratulates Ukraine on the adoption of its National Human Rights Strategy in 2015, which aims to improve the protection of rights and freedoms throughout Ukraine.

Canada recommends that Ukraine:

1. Fully implement the reforms necessary to establish an independent, effective and transparent judicial system that would not only strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to fight corruption, but would also establish an overarching framework for upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
2. Follow the recommendations made by the OHCHR regarding the human rights situation in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine, particularly with respect to due process, the treatment of prisoners and detainees, and gender-based and sexual violence.
3. Fully implement its 2015 National Human Rights Strategy, including with respect to protecting the rights of IDPs; ending discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation through the ratification of the Istanbul Convention; and addressing hate crimes through a strengthened criminal justice framework.

Since the last Universal Periodic Review of Ukraine in 2012, it has taken concrete steps to improve its adherence to international human rights standards. In addition to the adoption of the National Human Rights Strategy, Canada congratulates Ukraine on the increased importance that has been placed on gender equality, which now falls under the responsibility of a Vice Prime Minister.

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR, Ukraine received 191 recommendations, of which 153 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 80%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Ukraine were related to LGBTI rights, judicial reform, and electoral reform.

Ukraine has undergone significant changes brought about by the Revolution of Dignity and Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine continues with a reform agenda and its adherence to the fundamental international human rights standards. Through the adoption of the National Human Rights Strategy, defending and promoting human rights has become embedded within the larger reform agenda, alongside related priorities such as bolstering the rule of law and strengthening the judiciary.

Illegally annexed Crimea remains under de facto Russian jurisdiction, with serious human rights violations reported by the UN OHCHR, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression and association. With the conflict in eastern Ukraine now entering its fourth year, human rights violations perpetrated against conflict detainees; gender-based violence; and the overall political, economic and social rights of the 1.7 million registered IDPs need to be addressed.

Promoting and defending human rights also means working towards a more inclusive and tolerant society where human rights are human rights for all. While Ukraine has taken concrete steps to protect the rights of minorities – including for instance through the successful reform of the patrol police which ensured the protection of the two last Kyiv Pride parades – more progress needs to be made in certain areas, including the protection of the rights of sexual minorities and addressing hate crimes.