On 25 September 2025, a new Custody Records (CR) Unit established with the support of the Council of Europe, was officially opened at the National Police Department in Chernivtsi. This marks an important step towards strengthening transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights in police custody.
The CR system is a modern safeguard that ensures every stage of police custody is properly documented, transparent and aligned with international human rights standards. It plays a crucial role in preventing ill-treatment, protecting both detainees and officers, and building public trust in law enforcement.
Ivan Vyhivskyi, Head of the National Police of Ukraine, underlined: “The Custody Records system is not only about procedures – it is about building a culture of transparency and accountability. Its introduction shows that protecting human rights is a priority for the National Police, strengthens public trust, and aligns our work with Council of Europe standards.”
“Today we open another Custody Records unit supported by the Council of Europe. Each new unit is a sustainable step forward that reflects international standards and responds to European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recommendations. The gradual introduction of this system shows Ukraine’s commitment to human rights protection,” said Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.
This opening continues the gradual introduction of CR Units across Ukraine with Council of Europe support, contributing to systemic reforms of the National Police and the wider protection of human rights.
The event continued with a round table on “Compliance with Human Rights Protection Standards in the Activities of the National Police of Ukraine: Challenges and Prospects”, hosted at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. The event gathered about 50 participants, including police leadership from across Ukraine, human rights inspectors, representatives of academia, civil society, and local authorities.
Discussions focused on the practical impact of the CR system in temporary detention facilities, lessons learned from regions where it is already operational, and expectations for the future. Participants examined how the system strengthens documentation, supports detainees’ rights, and reinforces accountability. Special attention was paid to the role of human rights inspectors, the importance of training and oversight, and cooperation with prosecutors and lawyers to make custody procedures more effective and rights-based.
The academic community contributed perspectives on embedding human rights safeguards in police education, while civil society representatives highlighted the CR system as a step towards greater transparency and zero tolerance for ill-treatment.
The event was organised by the Council of Europe within the framework of the project “Strengthening Ukrainian Law Enforcement Agencies During War and Post-War Period – Phase II” (Project) in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine. The Project is being implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023-2026 in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Security Service of Ukraine.
