News
Constitutional resilience in times of war and recovery: International Conference marks the 29th anniversary of Ukraine’s Constitution
On the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine, the international conference “The Constitution in the Conditions of War and Post-War Reconstruction: Contemporary Challenges and Legal Solutions” took place in Kyiv on 27 June. The event brought together...
New social contract in Ukraine: Constitutional discussion on social rights
An expert discussion titled "Ukraine as a Social State in Times of Peace and War: The Constitutional Dimension” was held on 30 May 2025 in Lviv, Ukraine. The event brought together judges from Ukraine’s Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, representatives of Parliament, the Ministry of Social...
Cross-border cooperation to combat illicit financial flows
The regional workshop “Threats, vulnerabilities and emerging financial crime risks linked to cross-border criminal activity and measures for its detection and disruption”, brought together over 30 professionals from financial intelligence units, central banks, tax, and customs authorities from...
EU and Council of Europe support tangible reforms and lasting benefits for Ukraine
The European Union, the Council of Europe, and Ukrainian partners and beneficiaries have emphasised the importance of the Partnership for Good Governance programme in supporting the implementation of the national reform agenda in line with European standards as well as in contributing to the EU...
Enhancing public sector integrity and accountability: Practitioners discuss corruption risk assessment approaches
An international workshop, that brought together anti-corruption practitioners from numerous regions, was organised with the aim of enhancing the application of corruption risk mapping and other risk assessment tools in strategy and policy-making. These efforts aim to foster more transparent,...
Constitutional Court of Ukraine strengthen European dialogue on fundamental values
Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine participated in a conference organised by the Latvian Constitutional Court, continuing the strong and ongoing co-operation between the two institutions. The event provided a platform for exchanging experiences on strengthening constitutional...
Strengthening co-operation: Ukrainian Constitutional Court delegation visits the Council of Europe and EU institutions
A delegation from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU) visited the Council of Europe in France and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg, to discuss ongoing co-operation and explore further steps in the development of the constitutional justice in Ukraine. During...
Read about key achievements of the programme in Eastern Partnership countries
The Partnership for Good Governance main highlights factsheets detail key results achieved during the ongoing third phase of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme. These factsheets showcase significant achievements in main thematic areas, including: strengthening justice, countering...
Adoption of constitutional court ethical rules for Ukrainian judges will enhance public trust
A round-table on the adoption of ethical rules for constitutional court judges in Ukraine brought together representatives of Ukrainian authorities, judges, legal professionals, and Council of Europe experts. The aim is to establish a set of ethical rules grounded in four key principles:...
Fostering collaboration to combat hate speech through a pioneering training for Ukraine’s legal professionals
For the first time, representatives of Ukraine's police, prosecution, and judiciary from various regions participated together in a training programme designed to help them identify, classify, and counteract hate speech in their work. Participants highly valued the opportunity to collaborate...
Study visit for judges of the Ukrainian Constitutional Court to strengthen European co-operation with Germany and France
A delegation of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine undertook a study visit to Germany and France on 18-21 November. This visit aimed at exchanging expertise, deepen ties with European legal institutions, and advance the alignment of Ukraine’s constitutional justice with European standards. In...
Joint Efforts on the EU accession path: Experience exchange between the Ukrainian and Latvian Constitutional Courts
Judges and legal staff from the Constitutional Courts of Ukraine and Latvia met in Riga with the aim to exchange experiences on Ukraine’s European integration through the example of the steps taken by the Latvian legal system to join the EU and NATO. The meetings in Riga reinforced the dialogue...
Ukrainian Constitutional Identity and European Integration: Finding a Balance
The constitutional identity of Ukraine and its alignment with the European integration process, especially amidst the ongoing war, were at the focus of the Third Mariupol Forum, held in Kyiv on 4 October. Over 100 national and international participants joined the discussion on Ukrainian...
Improving the functioning of the electronic document management system of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine
On 30 August 2024 the Working Group on the functioning of the electronic document management system of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine brought together over 50 staff members of the Court to discuss ways of improving the electronic document management system. Discussions focused on the issues...
Monitoring the implementation of acts of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine
On 28-29 August 2024 the Working Group for monitoring the implementation of acts of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine gathered in Kyiv some 40 staff members of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to address the issues relating to the implementation of the acts of the Constitutional Court of...
Monitoring the implementation of acts of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine
On 28-29 August 2024 the Working Group for monitoring the implementation of acts of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine gathered in Kyiv some 40 staff members of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to address the issues relating to the implementation of the acts of the Constitutional Court of...
Methodology for preparation of draft acts of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine improved
On 11-12 July 2024, a working group brought together the staff of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to discuss the methodology for the preparation of draft acts of the Constitutional Court based on the European standards and best practices. Held in the framework of the EU/Council of Europe...
Further steps taken by the Regional Network of Eastern Partnership judicial training institutions for advancing women’s access to justice and gender mainstreaming in the justice chain
The second meeting of the Eastern Partnership Regional Network of judicial training institutions was held on 5 July 2024 in Strasbourg, as part of the HELP Network Annual Conference. The meeting gathered rectors, vice-rectors and heads of international co-operation departments from Eastern...
Strengthening Ukrainian Constitutional Justice for EU Integration
The challenges of Ukraine’s European integration process through the prism of the country’s Constitution were the focus of an international conference organised by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. Over 180 participants from Ukraine and abroad participated to the conference and explored...
European standards on minorities’ protection at the centre of a training for legal professionals in the Republic of Moldova
A two-day tailor-made training was organised in co-operation with the National Institute of Justice for 63 legal professionals from judicial institutions in the Republic of Moldova. The aim of the training was to enhance their knowledge and understanding of European standards on the protection of...
The European Union and the Council of Europe support the Ukrainian authorities in the implementation of the priority reforms towards the alignment with European standards and practice
The European Union and the Council of Europe, together with representatives of national authorities, partner institutions and civil society organisations gathered for the Local Steering Committee meeting of the Partnership for Good Governance Programme. It was an opportunity to take stock of the...
A round-table on the right to file a constitutional individual complaint with the Latvian and Ukrainian Constitutional Courts
A two-day round-table discussion to exchange on experiences and best practices on the right to file a constitutional individual complain was held on 9 and10 May, with the participation of the Constitutional Courts of Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia. The aim is to contribute to the development...
Personal data protection in constitutional jurisdiction: tailored activities
Two events dedicated to personal data protection in constitutional jurisdiction, were organised on 22 and 23 April 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine in the framework of the EU/Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance. The Round table held on 22 April focused on personal data protection in the case...
Promoting equality and inclusion with Young European Ambassadors in Ukraine
Four Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) met online with the Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine. The discussion focused on ongoing activities organised the Council of Europe and exploring opportunities for further co-operation in combating discrimination and hate speech in...
Preliminary examination of individual constitutional complaints: working group discussion
On 19 April 2024, a working group brought together staff of the Secretariat of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to discuss the content and scope of the preliminary examination of applications to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (filtration of the constitutional individual complaints) in...
Advancing regional co-operation to bring forward equality reforms for the protection of LGBTI community
A regional peer exchange on tackling equality reforms and focusing on the protection of LGBTI persons, took place in Podgorica, Montenegro. Following the regional LGBTI conference on “Addressing the rising anti-gender movement” organised in Pristina“ in November 2023, the two-day event organised...
Staff of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine trained on key elements of jurisdiction and interpretation of human rights
On 21 February 2024, the Council of Europe held a workshop for the staff of the Secretariat and the Patronage Services of Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on the key elements of jurisdiction and interpretation of human rights by the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of...
First Technical Project Committee Meeting of the PGG Project “Support to development of the constitutional justice in Ukraine”
The project “Support to development of the constitutional justice in Ukraine” held its first technical project committee meeting on 19 February 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Representatives of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the Council of Europe participated in the discussion. The meeting...
New national studies on women's access to justice in the Eastern Partnership countries available
Policy-makers, judges, prosecutors, legal professionals, as well as representatives of academia and civil society can now benefit from updated national studies “Barriers, remedies and good practices on women’s access to justice” for Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The...
Ombudsperson staff in Ukraine trained on European anti-discrimination and hate speech standards
The staff of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) was trained on European anti-discrimination and hate speech standards through two online sessions held on 14 December 2023 and 25 January 2024. These activities were tailored to respond to the mandate of the...
Young European Ambassadors sending a loud and clear message from Budapest: Say NO to hatred!
More than 50 Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) got introduced to methods on how to effectively address hate speech and discrimination. This will enable the YEAs to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of equality and diversity, ultimately contributing to combating hate...
Ukraine Police exchanges with peers on the role of law enforcement in preventing discrimination and promoting diversity
A peer-to-peer workshop between the Portuguese and Ukrainian police was, organised on 7 December 2023, provided a platform for exchange of experiences on the prevention of discrimination and promotion of diversity in the remit of law enforcement work. At the opening, Erlend Falck, Deputy Head of...
Creation of a law enforcement institutions and Civil Society Organisations network to tackle racism and discrimination
A network comprised of law enforcement institutions and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions was launched on 24 October. The creation of this network aims to improve the response of law enforcement institutions to hatred and discrimination,...
Combating discrimination and hate speech as law enforcement: a training for the National Police of Ukraine
According to the Committee of Ministers: "member States should make available effective and targeted training programmes for all those involved in preventing and combating hate speech, including the members and staff of law-enforcement services, security forces, prosecution services, the...
Building a common understanding of the hate speech phenomenon and data collection in Ukraine
An online round table, first from a series of events planned, brought together more than 40 representatives of state institutions, civil society organisations and networks in Ukraine. The participants discussed challenges in defining hate speech, possible actors that should be involved with the...
Young European Ambassadors in the forefront of the fight against hate speech
The new generation of the Young European Ambassadors continues to play a fundamental role in the fight against hate speech in the Western Balkan and the Eastern Partnership regions. In a series of online workshops, more than 50 Young Eurоpean Ambassadors completed the training programme on...
New joint projects for Ukraine presented by the European Union and the Council of Europe under the third phase of the Partnership for Good Governance
New projects aimed at countering economic crime and hate speech, promoting equality and non-discrimination, advancing women’s access to justice and combating violence against women, were presented on Tuesday 27 June, 2023, in Kyiv as part of the third phase of the joint EU/Council of Europe...
Ensuring implementation of reforms in the antidiscrimination domain in Ukraine, in line with European standards
Partners from Ukraine gathered together with the Council of Europe and the European Union, taking stock of the previous years of cooperation in the anti-discrimination domain and its results. The event also enabled discussions about the prospect of reforms in the field of combating discrimination...
Planning ahead with Ukraine partners, to strengthen responses to discrimination and enhance societal cohesion in difficult times
Throughout the last years, the Council of Europe No Hate Speech and Co-operation Unit has been cooperating with various national stakeholders in Ukraine within the thematic area of combating discrimination, hate crime and hate speech, and protecting rights of national minorities. Since 2019, two...
Promoting non-discrimination during wartime in Ukraine
The joint project “Strengthening the access to justice through non-judiciary redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in Eastern Partnership countries,” awarded two grants to civil society organisation in Ukraine in 2021. Their aim was to support victims of...
Training for Ukrainian judges on seizure and confiscation ready to be rolled-out throughout the country
In co-operation with the National School of Judges of Ukraine (NSJU), a training on seizure and confiscation for Ukrainian criminal judges, both from district and appellate courts, took place online on June 29 with over 85 participants. This training built on previous activities delivered jointly...
Addressing hate speech through improving data collection in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Region
The joint network of equality bodies working in the field of combatting hate speech delivered the first of the four planned workshops on “Addressing hate speech through improving data collection”. The activity aimed at ensuring a practical exchange between equality bodies/Ombudsperson...
Speak peace, be the change!
In English With Romanian subtitles "Speak peace! Hate speech is not an option" explores the concepts of hate speech, its manifestations, its risks for human rights and democracies. This booklet was developed for any person, civil society organisations and others who feel the need to...
Advancing the counternarratives on hate speech with Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans equality bodies
The representatives from the network of equality bodies engaged on combating hate speech in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans region held their conclusive meeting online on 17 January 2022. They tackled the work and the key results during a year long of modules to improve the response...
Launch of the report “Systemic mapping of national responses to hate speech in Ukraine”
What is the impact of hate speech on the society? What challenges does it pose and how can they be effectively addressed? What means of redress, tools and actions are available to victims in Ukraine? What is the role played by different state and civil society actors in addressing hate speech?...
Supervisory capacities of the National Bank of Ukraine on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing improved through our training sessions
A training on supervisory techniques to assess the effectiveness of application by obliged entities of controls on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) and their ability to detect and prevent financial crime marked the completion of a series of on-line training for...
From Discrimination to Inclusion: Promoting the Right to Work for All People with Disabilities in Ukraine
The NGO Fight for Right from Ukraine is implementing until April 2022 a project aiming at combating discrimination affecting disabled people in the country, through advocacy for improved legislation, and raising awareness about the rights of people with disabilities on the labour market. This...
Effective investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of money laundering offences advanced in Ukraine
Jointly with the National School of Judges of Ukraine (NSJU), the European Union-Council of Europe joint project, organised an online expert discussion on the application of the recently updated criminal offence of money laundering. This activity builds on long-standing and fruitful cooperation...
Strengthening access to justice for LGBTQI people in Ukraine
The NGO Insight from Ukraine is implementing until April 2022 a project aiming at combating discrimination and hatred against LGBTI people in Ukraine through litigation, providing access to support services and informing victims about the possibilities to get assistance. This project is carried...
Ukrainian non-banking financial institutions better equipped to prevent, detect and report money laundering and terrorist financing
Our project, in co-operation with the National Bank of Ukraine, delivered a comprehensive training to non-banking financial institutions in better delivering on their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations. As the National Bank of Ukraine has under its supervision the...
Reinforcing the capacities of Ukrainian judges on dealing with hate speech
In co-operation with the National School of Judges Ukraine and the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) programme of the Council of Europe, a pilot tutored course on “Combating hate speech”, adapted to the Ukrainian context and legislative framework, has been launched today in...
The Ukrainian banking sector reinforces its skills in preventing money laundering and terrorism financing
In cooperation with the National Bank of Ukraine, the Council of Europe organised five weekly sessions served to enhance the skills of the banking professionals in applying Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) measures. Organised in an interactive way, training sessions...
Police officers and prosecutors trained to raise awareness on hate crime in their institutions in Ukraine
On 21 – 23 October 2021, the last seminar of a long-term training for multipliers from the National Police and the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine on combating hate crime was organised by the European Union-Council of Europe’s project “Strengthening access to justice for victims of...
Ukrainian judges trained to adjudicate terrorist financing
In continuation of previous capacity building efforts and series of training activities for Ukrainian judges in the field of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, the Council of Europe in cooperation with the National School of Judges of Ukraine organised specialised...
Protect your rights, honor and dignity
This video was developed by the LGBT Human Rights Nash Mir Centre from Ukraine as part of an awareness raising campaign on the rights of LGBTI people in alleged cases of hate crimes. From 1 February to 31 July 2021, the LGBT Human Rights Nash Mir Centre from Ukraine carried out the project...
Gender mainstreaming, progressing towards the Partnership for Good Governance II goals
Gender equality is an important goal for the Council of Europe and an indispensable part of human rights. It is also an essential element in the functioning of democracy and the rule of law. To further gender equality, the Council of Europe and the Partnership for Good Governance II (PGG)...
Manual on financial investigations to guide law enforcement professionals in Ukraine
The Council of Europe organised the launching and presentation event of the Manual on financial investigations for Ukraine. The Manual is the achievement of more than two years of joint efforts by law enforcement agencies, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the asset recovery and management...
Supporting equality bodies from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions to address hate speech
The European Union and the Council of Europe, through their partnership continue their work to reinforce the capacities of equality bodies from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions to address hate speech. On 13 September, a new e-learning tool was launched and a pilot group of...
Call for proposals: Grants for support to civil society organisations for increasing access to justice for victims of discrimination in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine
Under the framework of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme Partnership for Good Governance, and its regional project "Strengthening access to justice through non-judicial redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Eastern Partnership...
Increasing the capacities of police investigators and prosecutors on combating hate crime in Ukraine
As a response to the needs of the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Police of Ukraine, we organised a training of multipliers in June. The aim is to create a pool of competent staff that can provide police officers and prosecutors with training on the prevention and effective...
Increasing the capacities of Ukrainian police officers to handle hate crimes affecting LGBTI people
On 21 and 22 July and on 29 and 30 July 2021, 28 police officers increased their knowledge about LGBTI groups and their skills on how to handle hate crimes affecting LGBTI people, thanks to two training courses organised by the regional EU-Council of Europe project on “Strengthening access to...
Protecting LGBT People from Hate Crimes in Ukraine
From 1 February to 31 July 2021, the LGBT Human Rights Nash Mir Centre from Ukraine carried out the project “Protecting LGBT People from Hate Crimes in Ukraine: Recommendations Based on Experience and Advocacy”, with the support of the European Union-Council of Europe joint programme Partnership...
Seminar on trainer skills in combating discrimination in Ukraine
In co-operation with the Legal Aid Coordination Centre, we organised a seminar for Legal Aid trainers on trainer skills in combating discrimination in Kyiv, Ukraine. The seminar was the last activity of a four-month training of trainers carried out by our project “Strengthening access to justice...
Interagency dialogue on transparency of beneficial ownership in Ukraine
The Council of Europe national and international experts contributed to the conference on "Transparency of ultimate beneficial ownership: lessons and prospects", initiated by the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine and attended by representatives of Ukrainian public authorities included...
Ombudsperson Institutions united in fighting for Roma inclusion
Upon the initiative of the Ukraine Ombudsperson office, the Council of Europe co-organised the “Kiev International Forum of Equality Bodies on Roma Inclusion”, on 27 May 2021. The Forum gathered over 140 participants, from over 20 independent human rights institutions from across Europe and...
Policing hate crime against LGBTI persons: training for a professional police response” and launch of the manual in Ukrainian
On the occasion of the International Week Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, an online public event on combating hate crime affecting LGBTI people, including a launch of the Ukrainian adaptation of the Council of Europe manual “Policing hate crime against LGBTI persons: training for a...
Ukrainian Security Service better equipped to fight terrorist financing
A complex online training course on terrorist financing detection, disruption and investigation was delivered to practitioners of the Security Service of Ukraine, including operatives and investigators, as well as representatives of training institutions. Moreover, with a view to ensuring...
Ukrainian prosecutors refine their knowledge and skills on effective investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences
A three-day online training course on “Effective investigation and prosecution of money laundering” was organised together with the Training Centre of Prosecutors of Ukraine. The Prosecutor General’s Office as well as regional and district public prosecution offices benefited from the training,...
Interactive online tool of the checklist on gender mainstreaming law school’s curricula available now in seven languages
There is an urgent need for tools and support networks on gender mainstreaming academia, particularly in view of the impact of Covid-19 on women’s rights and the rising anti-gender sentiments and opposition in several European countries. We have therefore developed an interactive tool of the...
Join our online peer discussions for practitioners working on equality issues in the Eastern Partnership countries
Equality and non-discrimination are very relevant topics for the Eastern Partnership countries, and the possibility to have regional exchange regarding problems, solutions and promising practices is an opportunity for the professional development and getting motivation for further work. Our...
Empowering the Roma communities in Ukraine through mediators and new local associations
The Lacho Drome Roma Center successfully started capacity building the local network of mediators in four towns across two Ukrainian regions (Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk). Two mediators in each of the four towns were trained toward in their communities monitoring and reporting cases of...
Ukrainian judges are trained to train their peers on money laundering
As a part of a long-standing cooperation with the National School of Judges of Ukraine aimed at strengthening judicial capacities related to money laundering, training of trainers was conducted for Ukrainian judges through Council of Europe support on 29-30 March 2021. Following up on the...
Using a human right-based language in responding to hate speech: a challenge for equality bodies across Europe
Equality bodies need to make strong efforts in nowadays’ Europe to respond to hate speech in the framework of their mandate. This is particularly important considering the increased use of social media, forms and levels of hatred present on the social media, as well as in the public space. The...