On 16 September 2026, an online webinar was held to address the alignment of Ukrainian legislation with the revised EU Victims' Rights Directive. The event brought together around 86 participants, including representatives of state authorities, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, international organisations, and CSOs.

Directive (EU) 2026/1472, which amends the foundational Directive 2012/29/EU, entered into force on 20 July 2026, giving EU Member States approximately two years for its transposition. This marks the first major reform of European legislation on victims’ rights in 14 years. It holds particular significance for Ukraine at present, as the country works to design its own national implementation model in line with the Rule of Law Roadmap.

The revised Directive also enhances approaches to supporting victims of hate crime, ensuring strengthened protection alongside effective counteraction to discrimination on all grounds (such as race, colour, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability).

Speakers at the event included Concepcion Sabadell, Seconded National Expert in DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission; Veronika Plotnikova, Head of Coordination Center for Support of Victims and Witnesses, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine; Tomasz Filipiak, Associate Project Officer, OSCE ODIHR; as well as international experts from Austria and Croatia.

Implementing these updated standards is a critical step towards aligning Ukraine's legal system with current European Union requirements and ensuring effective protection for victims.

The webinar was organised by the NGO "Social Action Centre" with financial support from the European Union, in close cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR), and with organizational support from Council of Europe projects aimed at implementing European standards on anti-discrimination and the protection of national minority rights in Ukraine.