8th Human Rights Dialogue takes place in Kyiv

Today in Kyiv, the European Union and Ukraine held the eighth Human Rights Dialogue. Both parties remain committed to continuing their annual dialogue, despite the ongoing full-scale armed aggression by Russia against Ukraine, and will continue their active efforts to prevent and address any human rights violations, including in the temporarily occupied and in the liberated territories of Ukraine.

The parties discussed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law violations in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion and war of aggression, such as arbitrary killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment of detainees, deportation and forced transfer of civilians (especially children) to Russia and Russian temporarily occupied territories, war-related sexual and gender-based violence, ‘filtration’, penal colonies in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The parties paid special attention to consideration of the impact of Russia’s war of aggression on the rights with respect to health, work, education, water and sanitation, and adequate housing. Discussions focused on the massive destruction, lossesand damages to infrastructure directly affecting the provision of basic services and the enjoyment of human rights. They stressed the importance of international support to Ukrainian recovery.

Both sides expressed concerns regarding human rights violations in the temporarily occupied areas by Russia. In particular, the parties discussed restrictions on civic and political rights, especially forcing Ukrainian citizens to change citizenship and/or obtain a Russian passport, restrictions on the freedom of expression, freedom of the media, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion or belief, forced mobilisation, as well as restrictions on access for international and non-governmental organisations.

During the dialogue, the EU and Ukraine expressed their commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including through the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression. Some specific points such as support to the investigations of the International Criminal Court,international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution processes, victim-centered and trauma sensitive responses, the establishment of a registry of damages and of a compensation mechanism were discussed. The parties also focused on sanctions and the use of Russia’s frozen and immobilised assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction and for the purposes of reparation.

Furthermore, discussions also revolved around policy developments in human rights. EU welcomed Ukraine’s efforts in fulfilling accession criteria, notably the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, notwithstanding the ongoing war. Specific areas included law enforcement reform, prevention of torture and ill-treatment, labour rights, freedoms of expression, association and assembly, the elections and electoral framework, rights of persons with disabilities and persons belonging to ethnic, linguistic, religious, and national minorities, rights of LGBTI persons, gender equality, women’s rights, and the rights of the child.

This year’s dialogue was marked by an atmosphere of cooperation and a common aspiration for progressive and decisive steps in the field of human rights.

The next meeting of the human rights dialogue between Ukraine and the EU is expected to take place in 2024.