In January 2026, a series of thematic workshops dedicated to the implementation of the “Fundamental Rights” pillar of the Rule of Law Roadmap* was conducted in Kyiv. The event was organised by the EU Project “Pravo-Justice”, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, upon initiative of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
The workshops were held on 21–23 and 28–30 January in an hybrid format, bringing together representatives of state authorities involved in the expert group responsible for the implementation of the Roadmap, that leads accession negotiations to the European Union in the field of rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as representatives of international organisations, Council of Europe experts and representatives from the civil society. The programme combined presentations by international and national experts, contributions from CSOs, comments from the European Commission and expert discussions involving representatives of state institutions.
Hilde Haug, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, underlined the importance of the Workshop on Fundamental Rights, organized in partnership with Pravo-Justice, describing it as a highly valued platform for constructive dialogue and practical exchange. She outlined key areas in which Council of Europe experts support Ukraine in its efforts to implement EU standards in the field of fundamental rights.
“Council of Europe experts share relevant organizational standards and examples of best practices from EU member states, enabling the knowledge gained to be directly applied in the Ukrainian context and to contribute to the European integration process. We highly appreciate Ukraine’s commitment to harmonizing its legislation with European standards, particularly in the areas of combating hate crime, introducing civil partnerships, strengthening anti-discrimination legislation, and protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities and Roma communities. The Council of Europe will continue to be a reliable partner for Ukraine, providing expert support in the protection of fundamental rights—especially for vulnerable groups—during this challenging time,” Hilde Haug emphasized.
She also highlighted Ukraine’s steps towards harmonising its legislation with European standards, in the areas of relevance for negotiating chapter 23, such as of criminal justice, combating hate crimes, strengthening anti-discrimination policies, safeguarding freedom of expression, and reinforcing national human rights institutions.
Rather than offering ready-made solutions, the workshop series aimed to foster a shared understanding of European approaches and Council of Europe standards, while equipping Ukrainian authorities with knowledge of how similar challenges are addressed in European Union member states. Participants were provided with materials prepared by experts, which will served as a practical basis for the further work on EU accession negotiations in the field of fundamental rights.
The workshops were supported by several Council of Europe projects, including
- “Support for implementing European standards relating to anti-discrimination and rights of national minorities in Ukraine”,
- “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine”,
- “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in Ukraine – Phase II” (SFEM-UA – Phase II)”,
- “Towards more humane detention conditions and reduced reoffending in Ukraine (DECOPRIS)”,
- “Support to the Implementation of the European Human Rights Standards in Ukraine: Phase II”,
- “Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine”, “Fostering Human Rights in the Criminal Justice System in Ukraine — Phase II”,
- “Protecting the rights of Ukrainian children and ensuring child-friendly justice”,
- “Combating Violence against Women in Ukraine - Phase III (COVAW-III)”.
Note: The Rule of Law Roadmap was adopted by the Government of Ukraine in May 2025 and contains a list of concrete commitments aimed at aligning national legislation and practices with the EU acquis and European standards. The document covers four key thematic areas: the judiciary, anti-corruption, justice, freedom and security, and fundamental rights. It serves as a strategic framework for Ukraine’s commitments under Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession process. In this context, a thorough understanding of European standards and best practices from EU member states is essential for the implementation of effective and sustainable reforms.
