On 4 June, an expert meeting was held to discuss methods of data collection and analysis to ensure equality and non-discrimination in Ukraine. The event brought together the efforts of Council of Europe projects in Ukraine working in the fields of combating discrimination and hate speech, as well as protecting the rights of national minorities and the LGBTI community in Ukraine. An initiative of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and in cooperation with the Non-Governmental Organisation "Social Action" Centre, the meeting was attended by representatives of central executive authorities, the "Social Action" Centre NGO, and representatives of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.
The expert discussion marked an important step in the implementation of the Roadmap on the Rule of Law and Ukraine's wider European integration process. Participants focused on analysing current data collection practices and finding solutions to overcome gaps in cooperation among central executive authorities. Furthermore, participants analysed in detail Ukraine's obligations under European Union directives on equality bodies, emphasising the critical importance of collecting comparable, reliable, and timely statistical data. It was underlined that although certain information is already recorded in Ukraine through citizens' complaints, judicial registers, and media monitoring, this data currently remains fragmented across various agencies and does not fully comply with EU standards. Proper data collection serves as a baseline not only for the effective handling of individual cases, but also for the systemic analysis of public policy and demonstrating the tangible effectiveness of anti-discrimination measures, which requires significantly better coordination among various authorities.
The implementation of systematic monitoring constitutes the fulfilment of the fundamental standards of the Council of Europe and international judicial institutions. In its recommendations, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe strongly urges member states to ensure the regular collection of disaggregated statistical data across all protected grounds, including ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The collection of such information must be carried out in strict compliance with the principles of confidentiality, personal data protection, and the right of individuals to self-identification.
The Council of Europe highly values the commitment of the Ukrainian side to implementing effective equality monitoring tools. Moving forward, active joint work lies ahead, and the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine will continue to provide comprehensive expert, methodological, and coordination support to public authorities, the Office of the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and civil society organisations to safeguard the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
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