Fostering Human Rights in the Criminal Justice System in Ukraine
The main objective of the project is ensuring effective functioning of the criminal justice system in Ukraine aligned with European human rights standards, including in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
The attainment of the Project objective shall contribute to strengthening democratic processes in Ukraine through the development of a criminal justice system which is:
- fair, efficient and respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms
- effective in the fight against criminality
- free of corruption and accountable at both institutional and individual levels
- trusted by the society
Main partners and beneficiaries: Ukrainian Parliament (the Law Enforcement Committee), Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, The Supreme Court, The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, The Council of Public Prosecutors, The Body in Charge of the Disciplinary Proceedings of the public prosecution service of Ukraine, The Prosecutors’ Training Centre of Ukraine, The National School of Judges of Ukraine, The Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision.
- Criminal justice stakeholders’ practices are harmonised to develop and apply criminal justice policy and legal framework in effective and coordinated manner in line with the Council of Europe standards and best practices;
- Institutional independence of the public prosecution service (PPS) and procedural autonomy of prosecutors are strengthened in line with the Council of Europe standards and best practices through continued support to reforms in the PPS, reinforcing prosecutorial self-government mechanism and advancing disciplinary procedures;
- Professional and operational capacity of prosecutors, legal aid lawyers and judges is enhanced to contribute to increased protection of procedural guarantees in criminal proceedings and increased effectiveness of criminal investigations/prosecutions, including investigation/prosecution of gross human rights violations in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Key Activities
The Project follows the Council of Europe’s working methods, based on standard setting, monitoring and cooperation.
The Project’s comprehensive approach includes a wide range of activities, including needs-assessments, research and base-line studies; policy and legislative advice (legal opinions, expert consultations); development of internal guiding and methodological documents and self-assessment instruments for the operational implementation of the new legal framework; professional capacity development activities, including development of curricula, training modules (including e-courses), through workshops, conferences, experience-exchange meetings, study visits; awareness raising activities; inter-agency interactions (working group meetings; public discussions/platforms; cascade peer-to-peer exchanges at regional and/or local levels); pilot/s.
Project Information
- Duration: Duration: 27 months (1 January 2023 – 31 March 2025)
- Country: Ukraine
- Budget: 1,353,000 €
- Funding: Voluntary contributions
Project Documentation
Project Summary
Criminal Justice in the Context of Armed Aggression and the European Convention: Ukrainian Judges Conclude Study Visit to the Council of Europe Headquarters
A delegation of Ukrainian judges specialising in criminal cases has completed a study visit to the Council of Europe Headquarters in Strasbourg, France. Organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine, the visit brought together judges...
The Council of Europe begins cooperation with the new composition of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors
The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, Mr Maciej Janczak, and the newly elected Head of the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors (QDCP), Mr Maksym Radzivon, discussed strengthening the institutional and professional capacity of the QDCP and aligning its...
Ukrainian prosecutors deepen their knowledge of EU international cooperation mechanisms
A practical seminar dedicated to international legal cooperation within the European Union was held at the Prosecutors' Training Centre of Ukraine. Over the course of two days, on February 13-14, participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of key international justice and law...
