Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) The Report covers the cases of persecution of activists, human rights defenders and journalists, as well as the situation regarding the investigation of such cases by law enforcement bodies for the period covering July to September 2020.

Compiled by Hanna Rozhkova, Kateryna Pomazana, Serhii Pernykoza, Vadym Pyvovarov. Design and layout by Olha Zolotar. Translation by Accent Words.

Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) / H. Rozhkova, K. Pomazana, S. Pernykoza, V. Pyvovarov — Kyiv: Association UMDPL. — 40 pages.

This publication created with the support of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program General Competition. The content of the publication does not translate the official position of the U.S. government The report is distributed under license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

Association UMDPL, 2020 CONTENT

Introduction...... 5

Abstract...... 5

Description of incidents related to pressure on public activists...... 7

Determining the effectiveness of investigations by law enforcement bodies...... 25

Conclusions...... 27

Annexes:

Annex 1. Methodology for monitoring of attacks on civil society representatives...... 29

Annex 2. Methodology for determining the effectiveness of law enforcement bodies in investigating attacks on activists...... 30

Annex 3. Sample of request for access to public information with regard to the effectiveness of investigations...... 34

Annex 4. Responses by law enforcement bodies with regards to the investigations of attacks on activists...... 35

3 4 INTRODUCTION in their cases (as an example: 2 incidents of attacks on activists in Odesa who oppose construction The trend to put pressure on public activists, works). A positive trend in all the recorded cases human rights activists and journalists persists in was an increase in the feeling of well-being Ukraine. The previous year, in just six months from among the victims- activists through solidarity April to October, our team recorded 61 cases of and support from representatives of civil society persecution of activists, with the largest number and some local political figures. The vast majority of cases reported in Odesa and Kyiv. This year, of them noted that, following the incident, their the trend continues to be disappointing. In June- social capital in the civic sector began to increase, September 2020, we recorded 21 cases (with a and they began to feel that their work did not go total of 27 individual incidents) in which activists unnoticed. It is also interesting that some of the were obstructed or intimidated. We recorded the interviewed victims emphasized that after the largest number of cases in Kyiv, then in Odesa, incident they felt even more motivated to do and also some cases in Lviv, Kharkiv, Kharkiv their socially important work and fight injustice, region and Zaporizhzhia region. although the key-note that might describe their feeling still was anxiety, danger, fear of generally low level of protection to social activists. As regards the pressure on civil society by ABSTRACT the police and other law enforcement bodies, the most common cases were: the obstruction of The majority of the cases neither involved peaceful assemblies (3) and the cases of inaction/ pressure on the part of law enforcement bodies, improper performance by law enforcement nor was committed by officials. The incidents bodies, which could endanger the victims (2). primarily took the form of property damage (9 These cases were mostly not reported to law cases), threats (5), physical assaults (4), Internet- enforcement bodies due to a lack of trust in them bullying (3) and defamation campaigns (2), with in this context. Thus, in the two cases where some of the incidents featuring several of these organizers of a peaceful assembly had overtly characteristics simultaneously. It is noteworthy been unlawfully obstructed by means of physical that, during this period, there happened 3 car force to reach the venue, they failed to file the arsons and 1 house arson. In all the cases, not complaints with the police not believing in their involving the pressure by the police, the victims effectiveness. Interestingly, both cases concerned applied for the legal protection and reported expressing a position on the adoption of a draft the incidents to the police. The only exception law (one – promoting the environmental recycling was one case where the victim failed to appeal and the other – against the amendments to the law to the police due to the external circumstances on languages). In both cases, the law enforcers – the lack of corpus delicti or the fact of the cited as the reason to disallow people to reach offence (the case was the matter of a defamation the venue the stage props which the participants media campaign in the territory not controlled were carrying to use in their performances (trash by Ukraine). It is also revealing that in the vast bags and large wooden sticks, respectively). It is majority of cases, victims acknowledge their noteworthy to mention a case in Lviv, where at a dissatisfaction with the level of effectiveness of peaceful political rally (criticizing the President’s investigation and the need to constantly motivate statements), administrative cases were illicitly investigators through submissions, inquiries and initiated against the participants (with the aim of pressure from the civil society. At least one obstructing the peaceful assembly). Against this journalist has filed a complaint with the State background, the activists noted that they felt Bureau of Investigations of Ukraine (SBI) referring tired and upset, regretting the financial, time and to the ineffective investigation of her case. This human resources they had to waste to prove their takes up a lot of time and effort from the victims- innocence in court instead of continuing their activists and sometimes demotivates them to usual activities in the civic sphere. monitor their own cases or reduces the level of The systematic pressure on investigative trust in the judiciary and the police. However, journalists of the Schemes: Corruption in in fairness, one should note that several victims Details Program is worth specific mentioning. expressed satisfaction with the intensity and First, Mykhailo Tkach detected signs of a tap at efficiency of the investigation and court hearings his home, and, a few days later, the car of the 5 6 Content at theKharkivcommunity center PrideHub. 3 incidents related to property damage and threats at theOdesa community center QueerHome, and Odesa Pride2020, anattempt to disrupt anevent a peaceful assembly withintheframework of the particular, there hasbeenanattempt to disrupt LGBTQI activists alsobecamemore frequent. In the attacks andpressure activities, of various kindsonthe their intensified community LGBTQI discrimination andincrease thevisibilityof the when publicorganizations working to overcome and surveillance. Additionally, inlate August, come to support Sternenko also reported attacks time. After thehearing,participants whohad court hearing, Serhii was assaulted yet another transferred to Odesa, where, right before the arrest asameasure of restraint, andhiscasewas handling of cold arms,was placed underhouse indictment of intentional homicide and‘illegal’ to unfold –inJunehewas handedover the the caseagainst SerhiiSternenko continued editorialoffice was on set fire. period, this During bodies. likeliness of pressure by thelaw enforcement organizations. Thelatter isfeatured by higher and politicalactivities of various individuals or LGBTQI activism, criticismof thestate apparatus local politicalandbusiness schemes, etc.), (against illegal construction works, exposing have beenvarious anti-corruption activities among thepublicactivities, themost dangerous matter of urgency. in aproper way but even being investigatedonly as a registered not are they cases, high-profile Criminal Procedure Code of the Ukraine, and,withregard to in specified timeframe the Investigations within Pre-Trial of Register Unified the noted that crimereports are beingentered into attack has taken place. However, it should be activists and start their activities only after the appropriate measures to prevent attacks on and period specified the Toduring up, sum Law enforcement bodies do not take Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 8 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 a conversation. Two participants followed the the law enforcers invited themto ‘a shade’ for cleaning up the garbage from the performance, representatives left andtheparticipants were after the meeting was over, whenthe media Rostyslav Radish reported onhisFacebook page: out thepress-releases to 92mediarepresentatives. very sameday (July 6 organizers announced theperformance onthe about 10 police officers were present nearby. The were only 4participants of theperformance and on thestreet andthepartsof theprinter. participants started to collect thenotes scattered further shows that, after theperformance, the the printer andsmashedit.Thevideofootage first forced stagedactor awaythe manner a from woman withabat andamanwithhammer)in them to passers-by. Then,two other people (a hryvnia notes using agreen printer andhanding of Volodymyr Zelensky was printing onemillion action, where a man wearing a mask with the face (032.ua), theperformance comprised atheatrical at thevideobroadcast by alocal mediaoutlet the exchange rate of hryvnia.As onecansee Ukraine ontheabsence of necessity to restrain to thecomments by theincumbent President of held aperformance aimedat drawing theattention near theShevchenko monument inLviv, activists 06.07.2020. during apeaceful assembly on Kleimenova for aperformance against Rostyslav Radish andIryna offence report was drawn up Incident 1.Anadministrative As aparticipant of theperformance

(According to Rostyslav Radish) There On July 6 th , at 13:00, at Svobody Avenue th ) inthemorningandsent disagreeing withtheprotocols. Iryna and Rostyslav wrote Both intheprotocols that they were the spot). on officer police a of of witnesses, andinthecaseof Iryna–thename case of Rostislav, dashes were written intheplace it was stated in the documents themselves (in the the reports were drawn upwithoutwitnesses, as during the performance. It is worth noting that of theprinter (actually owned by Rostyslav) motivated policemen the offence The officers. by police the other reason of the destruction by up drawn already protocol offence administrative hooliganism”, thus, compelling him to signthe “petty – severeless a of with or amenities”,– “destruction public offence serious more a with the two possible options: hewas eithercharged the ‘chief’ policeman had beenexplaining him hooliganism. Rostyslav Radish furthernoted that and hiscolleague IrynaKleimenova for petty him against report offence administrative an up to him,thelaw enforcers had already drawn asked himto ‘come over for aminute’. According minutes, police officers approached Rostyslav and to tworemained clean upthegarbage, including Rostyslav. Inafewthe other and officer, police Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 9 , 2019, Roman Roman , 2019, th , human , human th . , the court held a hearing held , the court th the same, mentioning, among other other among mentioning, same, the , and, on July 16 , and, on July on August 26 on August ago, A year According to Volodymyr, law enforcement enforcement law Volodymyr, to According th Volodymyr Savchenko says that he feels he feels that says Savchenko Volodymyr

stated Lykhachov, the head of the Chuhuiv Human Human the Chuhuiv of head the Lykhachov, of in the form a threat received Group Rights an axe and a coffin near househis “Roman, with if a note you don’t stop doing The human head”. will be in your (axe) next nuisance, the the law addressed immediately defender rights criminal which instituted bodies, enforcement to choose a measure of restraint for the suspect. the suspect. for restraint of a measure choose to Volodymyr is underway, the investigation While this point at stop not the case would that hopes contractor but the perpetrator the only not and the activist So far, be established. would as well the investigation, of results the for wait to wants although contractor, the alleged mentioning not this person. he knows he believes But he his work. continue to and motivated well with the safety the situation in Odesa, that, notes of public activists fighting against corruption in he emphasizes Thus, bad. is quite the city council against the attack of the contractors until that him are not identified,he, wellas as other cannot region, in Odesa civil representatives society other this case and similar is why, That safe. feel on activists and pressure attacks/threats of cases and the state for especially noticeable, be should institutions. international rights defender Roman Lykhachov Lykhachov Roman defender rights protection, state that announced due to ago him a year to provided revoked. was threats, On July 10 3. On July Incident page page way. and professional rapid in a responded bodies the Member of by supported he was Moreover, this who addressed Dmytruk, Artem Parliament and Committee, Rada the Verkhovna at issue General the Prosecutor to a request submitted and the Minister of the into investigation Internal transparent and prompt Affairs to hold a on detained was the assault of The suspect attack. 15 July things, things, the recent successful cases of could that the works construction illegal against fight ban a court attack: the of the cause been have Hraf complex residential of on the construction and Kalipso complex residential seaside, the by Mer La complex residential , . th th Rostyslav also noted the inappropriate inappropriate the noted also Rostyslav As of now, Rostyslav and Iryna are are Iryna and Rostyslav now, of As

In Odesa, at about 16:20 on July 9 about 16:20 on July at In Odesa, Volodymyr Savchenko noted that, in that, noted Savchenko Volodymyr waiting for the trial. As Rostyslav says, he and he and says, Rostyslav the trial. As for waiting believe as their lawyers, as well his colleague, since win the case, to likely most are they that delicti in has been no corpus there objectively this is a that notes But the activist their actions. up a lot takes that process time-consuming very worries. unnecessary for and energy strength of and situation the whole that He also stresses with the the communication of some episodes him. for depressing very are police behaviour behaviour of the down police wrote they In particular, communication. officers during their with mistakes, and the date name the activist’s but their response was that they “didn’t give a fig”. The policeman,to instructed been had “he that him personallytold who talkedRostyslav, to care didn’t and so did he protocols, up the draw the activist Moreover, about their future”. much notes that laughed officers law enforcement and them. fun of made Savchenko was beaten on July 9 on July beaten was Savchenko Activist Volodymyr Volodymyr 2. Activist Incident his opinion, the reason for the assault was was the assault for his opinion, the reason namely his NGO Spilna Meta, of the activities their fight against the of the main activities Recently, city council. corrupt regime of the the organization were and illegal the seacoast at works fightingconstruction against illegal been has organization The gates. access driveway schemes the corruption and stopping revealing through judicial means and, sometimes, by . The Spilna Meta actions take-down for support Volodymyr Savchenko, the head of the NGO of the head Savchenko, Volodymyr Spilna Meta (‘Common Goal’), left his office and assaulted. when he was his car, to heading was this on his he reported same day, On the very official Meta Spilna later, bit a and, page, Facebook the attack, of published a video record page surveillance street the from recorded likely most the attacker Volodymyr, to According cameras. behind and from the activist attacked suddenly 5-7 kicked the ground, to him down knocked the attack, After and disappeared. times more Volodymyr immediately called the police, filed the had and attack the regarding report crime a injuries As verified. theresult, a victim a suffered and bruises. concussion 10 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 and law enforcement bodies inthese affairs. officials government of involvement possible the of alcoholic beverages, where Roman spoke about group released another videoabouttheillegal sale According to Roman, right before thethreat, the of Member of Parliament Dmytro Shentsov. schemes that may be related to thecircles Centers, aimedat investigating illegal business his activities at the Network of Anti-Corruption the last year’s threats. actions as designed to enable the carrying out of still feels thethreat to hislife andperceives such removal of state protection makes itclear that he response. Nevertheless, Roman’s reaction to the due to civilsociety pressure andprompt police second case, thisproblem was quickly resolved the and first the both In 2020. 2019 andinJuly but itwas twice suddenly revoked: inOctober had been provided with the state protection, For theperiodof pre-trial investigation, kill”). Roman to (“Threat Ukraine of Code Criminal the proceedings underPart oneof Article 129of Roman puts thethreats of 2019down to On July 14 on Kateryna Serhatskova’s journalistic activities. numerous threats, cyber-bullying andpressure kept onspreading inthesocialmediaandcaused post was quickly deleted, the personal information photos of Kateryna’s apartment. Although the post, unknown persons published the address and against thejournalist, andlater underthesame contained threats of physical assault andviolence Watch personal photos andinsults. As HumanRights published another series of posts withKateryna’s due to the presence of hate speech, Roman to Russia. After theinitialpost had beenblocked Kateryna Serhatskova andtelling herto return published aseries of posts insulting journalist right organizations untrue. On July 9 the allegations of politicization andlinks to far- Internet project. organizations withtheStopFake connection between far-right her article aboutthepossible Serhatskova faces threats after Incident 4.Journalist Kateryna published onJuly 3 on theInternet was anarticle by Kateryna, lives andhealth of herfamily andherself. she had beenforced to leave Kyiv fearing for the motivation inthecivicsector. Corruption Centers, thus reasserting hishigh work inthisdirection withtheNetwork of Anti- rights defenders. Roman Lykhachov continues to problems inproviding protection to human Mykola Bychko). Allthis indicates deepsystemic to theinvestigation into the murder of activist 2018, (because of hisanti-corruption activities) and,in 2016, threats duringRoman’s years of activity. Before, in official discussed inthemedia, since theStopFake’s The article haslong beeninthespotlight and on theStopFake fact-checking Internet project. influence of far-right organizations inUkraine media Zaborona reporting of aprobable refuting thecontent of thearticle. published its response to StopFake’s statement The reason for such anaggressive reaction On July 11 The mentioned threats have not been the first threatsfromlaw a enforcement official (due the human rights defender faced anattack statement cameoutonJuly 8 reports, thecomments to theinitialpost th , Kateryna told th , blogger Roman Skrypin rd onthewebsite of online theIndependent that th , Zaborona th , calling Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 11 and the Texty.org , Liga.net , th On July 13 On July Just in a day, the journalist noticed that such such that noticed the journalist in a day, Just

Meanwhile, in the same post, Serhii points points Serhii post, the same in Meanwhile, Sternenko Serhii that noted be should It , where she called the author of the study the study of the author she called , where Іınstitute Іınstitute of Mass the text released Information of the content into investigation a journalistic of which some of the political Telegram-channels, were Party the People of the Servant of members Liubov the article, of The author subscribers. 5 of the content analyzed having Velychko, channels these that assumed Telegram-channels, Russia. from managed were and (‘Legitimate’) as Lehitimnyi Telegram-channels in mentioned channels not and other Resident, posts of number published a large had the study, and to the analysis of the results refute trying to of the main narratives One of its author. discredit Velychko’s Liubov the idea that was posts such trumped-up, thus been ‘planted’, had article a famous In addition, and untrue. manipulative Olha Sharii published on her channel a blogger video on criticizing her article and went ‘presstitute’ out the pressure from the investigator in the in the the investigator from pressure the out week, one In defendant. the is he where case he received “5 summonses for each day of the get 10:00 to at the SSU to come to requiring week the proceedings of materials with the acquainted [Serhiy Sternenko]”. against of branch Odesa the of the head be to used radical a which is considered Sector, the Right to related allegedly and was group, nationalist other to and Shufrych Nestor MP of beating the which cannot campaigns, lustration’ ‘garbage without violence. and held legal be considered in civic engaged Serhii is lawfully Currently, activism. After publishing a publishing After 6.1 Incident Telegram-channels, study into faced Velychko Liubov journalist defamation Internet-bullying, campaigns and threats. Case: political journalist investigative Velychko Liubov - Freedom Freedom , the persecution the persecution and a number of other other of and a number , the officialFacebook page th , activist Serhii Sternenko re Serhii Sternenko , activist th Stopfake , , Journalists Protect to Committee , 2020, the Security Service of Ukraine Ukraine of the Security Service , 2020, Amnesty International Ukraine International Amnesty According to Serhii, he tried to prevent prevent Serhii, he tried to to According th , that the Independent Journalists’ Initiative Initiative Journalists’ the Independent that On July 12 On July Following the incident with Roman Skrypin’s Skrypin’s Roman with the incident Following

Back in 2018, Sternenko faced three as- three faced Sternenko 2018, in Back NGOs. On July 20 NGOs. On July Hromadske TV Hromadske post, a number of international and local NGOs NGOs local and international of a number post, hate of on the inadmissibility statements issued for journalist a of persecution and threats speech, Human Rights namely: activities, the professional Watch, House were suspended. were third attack on Serhii Sternenko on Serhii Sternenko attack third Proceedings on the 5. Proceedings Incident the suspension of the investigation: “in May, I filed filed I May, “in investigation: the of suspension the separate to Bozovuliak prosecutor to a request - perpetra regarding materials the investigation it Thus, proceeding. individual an into Isaikul tor the expiry prevents that in a way be closed could proceeding main the while investigation, the of - the organiz Still, further investigated. be should have and Posuvailo the crime Podobiedov of ers - and the investiga their indictments, received not and contractor the find to trying even not are tors fur- activist the as But, accomplices”. other the all this request refused the prosecutor ther reports, proceeding the main suspended and, as a result, attack. on the third of Serhii Sternenko as politically motivated. as politically Serhii Sternenko of (SSU) handed over to Serhii Sternenko the in- Serhii Sternenko to handed over (SSU) and illegal homicide intentional of act dictment the that noting worth It is arms. cold of handling Union (UHHRU) Human Rights Helsinki Ukrainian recognizes in its open statement of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Ukraine of Journalists Union of the National of stated regarding police the to report crime a filed has ‘34’ Serhatskova Kateryna journalist of the bullying Skrypin. Roman journalist by - the attack them, one of of During the last saults. (Ser- wounded mortally was Kuznetsov, Ivan ers, Another in self-defence). he acted that claims hii on Instead, Ukraine. Andrii Isaikul, fled attacker, June 11 on his Facebook page that, according to to according that, page on his Facebook ported officer, by the provided information investigating the him, on attack third the into investigation the - and the con intermediaries organizers, for search been dis- had attempt the assassination of tractor continued. 12 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 ead sc som rato a a confirmation a as reaction stormy such regards does not feel intimidated. Onthecontrary, she as anauthor. Insuch anatmosphere, thejournalist of herresearch, to discredit herwork andherself sponsored anddesigned to underminetheresults that theposts intheTelegram-channels were intentions of ‘haters’. However, shebelieves instruction, or theresult of publiccallsorindividual cyberbullying isdueto someone’s centralized the article ontheTelegram-channels. with dissatisfied were who network, social the or sometimes violent nature from various users of comments on Facebook of an offensive, aggressive noted that shebegan receiving messages and on herFacebook page. Moreover, thejournalist for 16minutes. Liubov Velychko reported allthis

Liubov Velychko is not sure whether such investigation of hercase. filed a complaint with the SBI over the ineffective surveillance. Velychko reported alleged Incident 6.2 Journalist Liubov motivated. Subsequently, onAugust 26 also helpherto feel more orless protected and community the professional and office editorial her, anactive civilsociety andthesupport of the enforcement bodies onthethreats. According to much timeto prepare acrimereport for thelaw she would not leave thissituation asis.Shetook but new materials, and write truth the for fight state andsays that sheisready to continue to Liubov does not talkmuch aboutheremotional always be ready for danger andthreats, thus are engaged ininvestigative journalismshould of her research. According to her, people who from theviewpoint of amental continuation of herwords andobserves thedevelopments in high-profile terrorist acts. special operation to intercept 33 people involved recently published,interviewing acurator of a latter option isrelated to thearticle, that shehas used against her. As thejournalist believes, the the illegal methods of persecution are being investigative andoperational actions orwhether she wants to know whether sheisanobjectof That iswhy thejournalist hassent aninquiry – enforcers involved inaninvestigation activity. that these have beenthenumber plates of law the database. Inheropinion,thisisadirect sign in ofInternal had them notAffairs, she found but checked thecar’s number plates withtheMinistry the persecutor left. shine alight onthejournalist’s car. After awhile, stopped, andtheperson from thecarstarted to house where Liubov Velychko lives), the car also Having arrived at thedestination point (the and manoeuvres that shehad intentionally taken. was following hercar, despite thestrange routes her ontheprevious day. where shereported thealleged surveillance of Velychko made apost

Liubov Velychko noted that shehad According to her, astranger in adarkcar On August 27 onherFacebook page, th , journalist Liubov th , Liubov Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 13 of the live the live of ‘I don’t want want ‘I don’t , where Iryna describes describes Iryna , where rally the rally 11:00, , at th group of protesters with trash bags bags with trash protesters of group On July 15 On July Iryna’s next post next Iryna’s As one of the participants recounts, recounts, participants the of one As the details of the incident, writes that this has that writes the incident, of the details not been the first time when she, or her friends the public due to pressure faced and colleagues, will her position that She also adds activities. actively to the same and she will continue remain despite Kyiv, to accession Kotsiubynske’s for fight intimidation. any was approaching the Verkhovna Rada, riot police police riot Rada, Verkhovna the approaching was stopped themnot and could told officers that they bags. with trash cordon the police through pass bags the leave to refused the participants After by encircled were they cordon, behind the police the record one can see at As policemen. the participants encircled police the riot broadcast, to on the approach bags trash carrying the rally of dialogue of officers the of One Rada. Verkhovna the the explain tried to the site, at also present police, The organizer and some 8. The organizer Incident in support the rally of participants (On 2207-1d No. Law Draft of and Waste Management Waste the by obstructed Sorting) were the venue. to on the way police to to live in a waslandfill’ held Verkhovna near the the issue raising aimed at It was Ukraine. of Rada and advocating in Ukraine disposal waste of 2207- No. Law the Draft of adoption the for people, of A group Management. 1d On Waste (as mentioned the rally of the organizer including Firsov, Yehor the event) of page on the Facebook to bags with trash the rally to come decided to obstruction but faced them in a performance use bodies. enforcement the law on the part of when the , Iryna Fedoriv found a plaque a plaque found , Iryna Fedoriv th On July 14 On July

resembling a memorial plaque near the house a memorial plaque resembling this on reported immediately and she lives where photo a contained plaque The page. Facebook her the alleged indicating Iryna and the inscription, of as well the apartment, bought had when she date her of integrity the denying the accusations as CHESNO (‘Honestly’) as a member of activities allegedly which had from the salaries Movement, Almost buy the apartment. her to allowed immediately, the Movement’s as the incident describing published a statement official website “yet another attempt to intimidate and boundaries of the extension threaten advocating an activist to Forest park in Bilychanskyi the national of for advocating and building-up, the from it save Kyiv”. to village Kotsiubynske of the accession speech linking the Irina’s quoted The statement ‘Kotsiubynske- the to plaque the of appearance Iryna says near the Parliament. rally peaceful Kyiv’ the defamation facing she has been constantly that and Party Faces New campaigns on the part of her by caused Karpliuk, Volodymyr its leader, the of accession the for advocating in work active the for and the struggle Kyiv to village Kotsiubynske in the village. amenities urban of provision proper and the statement posts Iryna’s both Additionally, have they that state the CHESNO Movement by agencies. enforcement law to the complaint a filed the unfortunately, that, also notes The statement activities Iryna’s to obstruction of cases previous been not have as an activist her on and pressure effectivelyinvestigated since “no one has been punished so far”. on the house where she lives. she where house on the the CHESNO Movement, installed installed Movement, the CHESNO Iryna Fedoriv, the editor-in-chief of of editor-in-chief the Fedoriv, Iryna A ‘memorial plaque’ to to plaque’ A ‘memorial 7. Incident 14 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 almost withoutany the stage props. that therally was held anyway, a bit later, but during theclashes. Oneof theparticipants noted officers enforcement law by torn been had shirts trash bags torn, andtwo of themnoted that their rally, with thepolice. Someparticipants had their of theprotesters, tryingto reach to theplace of the ranks. Suchactions of law enforcers caused clashes also the others faced resistance policeofficersthe – thickened the but officers, police of circle the cordon. Someof themmanaged to pass through of therally triedto break through thepolice shows that after Oleksii, several other participants an attack against him. investigation of ineffective of experience the had that he did not see a point in this, as he had already a report file of thecrimewithpolice, he answered to intention the had he whether reporters he reached to place of the rally. Whenasked by Eventually, bag. trash the finally, torn wayand, his by thehands,pullinghimby thejacket, standing in various ways. For instance, they were in him grasping him preventing been had officers police while was taking place, carrying atrash bag inhishands, square neartheVerkhovna Rada, where therally Oleksii Novikov had beentryingto reach the on Oleksii’s Facebook page. For several minutes, stop him,asonecanseeonthevideopublished to trying were officers enforcement law the and Oleksii Novikov, broke through thepolice cordon proves, thisrequest was ignored. the Verkhovna Rada, however, asthevideorecord officersto police riot ofcircle a in participants the of therally requested thepolice at least to convoy for itsprohibition by acourt decision.Theorganizer planned place inthe absence of objective reasons implies theholding of apeaceful assembly inthe exercise of thefreedom of peaceful assembly alternative way to manifest themselves. Thefull hold ameeting at theplanned place oranadequate provide theparticipants to withanopportunity can be considered disproportionate, as they donot to avoid clashes. Itshould benoted that such actions need to separate the participants of different rallies explained theencircling of apartof therally by the Probably, therepresentative of thedialogue police conflict orviolent actions before thisincident itself. because theopensources donot prove any obvious The last words of the phrase are difficult to interpret place of the planned rally “as it just happened here”. probability of escalation of conflict situations at the actions of the law enforcement officers by the high The already mentioned videobroadcast Thereafter, oneof the participants of therally,

continue hisactivities at thecitylevel inTokmak. he tries to abstract hismindfrom theincident andto arson makes himfeel anxious, butfor thetimebeing, the investigation, asbeing unaware of thecause of the emphasizes that heeagerly awaits for theresults of center of thedistrict. Thepublicandpoliticalactivist in thepublicmovement to designate Tokmak asthe the motivation for thearson isAskad’s involvement as amayoral candidate). Another version explaining have beensomemediareports mentioning Askad on theeve of thelocal elections (recently, there consider himasthefrontrunner of theopposition political establishment of thecityof Tokmak could which didnot happen,adding that the existing head of theTokmak District State Administration, he links thearson to hisplanned appointment as but notes that hehad nodomestic conflicts. Intheory, completely sure of themotives of theperpetrators, Prosecutor General. investigate thecaseat theVerkhovna Rada withthe Yatsyk supported thecaseandstressed theneedto Yuliia MP fire”. Additionally, “Setting Code Criminal criminal proceedings were instituted underthearticle day, asAskad reported onhisFacebook page, the the ZaporizhzhiaResearch Forensic Center. Thenext Service of Ukraine (SES)arrived andtook thecarto the next day until theexperts of theState Emergency and guarded on thecrime scene till about 14-15:00 of enforcement bodies took histestimony onthespot law the of Officers minutes. 7 in scene the to came the and police the brigade and firefighters him, Accordingto fire police. the called and system alarm page. Askad learned thisimmediately from thecar He fire. on set was Zaporizhzhia region, thecarof Askad Ashurbekov set onfire. public andpoliticalactivist, was Ashurbekov, asociologist and Incident 9. Thecarof Askad On thenight of July 15 Askad Ashurbekov notes that hecannot be reported thisonhisFacebook th , inthecityof Tokmak,

Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 15 reported , Slava nd that the store had had the store that the goods sold sold goods the that that that reported Onipko , Natalia st In the morning of July 22 July In the morning of On July 21 On July In 2018, the Charitable Foundation Zaporuka Zaporuka Foundation the Charitable In 2018, Back in April, Slava stated in April, Slava Back Car of activist Slava Slava activist 12. Car of Incident on fire. set Masonskyi was The head of a charity a charity of 11. The head Incident with pressure fund reported of the construction to regard cancer-stricken for a center children. car. Thus, the organizers and participants of the the of participants and organizers the Thus, car. carrying cordon police the cross to decided rally Verkhovna the hands. Approaching in their props another in yet involved got participants the Rada, the took which enforcers, law with the conflict form of a clash and a scuffle. The police applied the participants Eventually, gas. and tear batons the of the venue to bring the props to managed assembly. peaceful a neighbour of a center for cancer-stricken to to cancer-stricken for a center a neighbour of the obstruct tried to again yet be constructed an angle cut with he instance, For construction. the scared and, thus, on the gate grinder the lock site. the construction of guard new a of the construction began (‘Cornerstone’) Dacha called children, cancer-stricken for center accommodate would which cottage’), (‘Country a time. at 15 families up to sold him a defective product and denied its return. and denied its return. product a defective him sold evidence found also he Later, store at were unofficialSTYLUS.ua and not new, Further, receipts. fiscal with provided even not and on his Facebook page that his car had been set on been set his car had that page on his Facebook As fire. he noted in the he post, hadlately, had a of the owner with Andrii Karpiuk, only conflict store. STYLUS.ua to according according of live broadcast, broadcast, live of of the of in the way stood the rally 9:30, , at ‘Hands off th Having arrived at the announced place – place the announced at arrived Having On July 17 On July near the Verkhovna Rada, the organizers were were organizers the Rada, Verkhovna the near the action for their car the props taking out of – long wooden sticks the recordone can see from (for the firewood). As law enforcement officers preventing immediately the began use of One can the car. from the props firewood, take to even not allowing the organizer between hear the conversation and a policeman, where the policeman justifies the props. from the danger by restrictions such minutes, a few for lasted discussion The heated bring the to allow did not still but the police so assembly, the peaceful of the place to props Almost a detour. take decided to the organizers station, metro near the Arsenalna immediately, Then, police. by stopped was car the the language! Day two. Bonfire’ the was safeguard to Ukraine of Rada heldthe Verkhovna near the educational in language the Ukrainian of use Draft of the rejection advocate and to process the mandatory which postpones 2362, No. Law language the Ukrainian schools to of transition 2023. until as the Official Language”). as the Official Law “On the Ukrainian Language Language Ukrainian “On the Law (On Certain Amendments to the to Amendments (On Certain 2362 2362 No. Law the Draft against in the way of organizers of a rally a rally of organizers of way in the Law enforcers stood stood enforcers Law 10. Incident one of the organizers, the police claimed that the that claimed the police the organizers, one of not may and accident car a of signs had vehicle officers enforcement law Several scene. the leave and, after cordon the car in a loose encircled on. However, pass the car to let about 20 minutes, another Rada, the Verkhovna to the entrance at group of police officers 16 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 on July 28 and thereafter itbroke into flame. Butrecently, throwing something inthedirection of thecar, camera captured two unknown persons initially instituted because the surveillance proceedings onthearson casehave been responsibility andto shut down STYLUS.ua store. demands isto bringAndrii Karpiuk to criminal In hisgroup, healsowrites that oneof hismain received letters from other deceived customers. he was preparing acollective lawsuit, after having Facebook police officers. and utilities, andaboutthecorruption of certain housing of field the in Kyiv in corruption about the rights of theCrimeansandmigrants, wrote engaged ingrassroots activism: hedefended of work at astate body. Therefore, later, hegot effectiveness the with disappointed was he but the capital city, he worked as an assistant to an MP, two hisfriends,sohehidthecar. After moving to would be put on the fire, just like it happened with feared persecution and was expecting that his car then, itwas theperiodwhenfor hisactivism he the Crimea and move to Kyiv. He notes that, back actively advocated for Ukraine andhad to leave and used to live inSevastopol, but,in2014,he response to hismessages for several days. Pre- of Register Trial Unified Investigations andhad not beengiven any the from abstract an been appointed inhiscase, how hecould receive was not informed whether aninvestigator had on thepartof theinvestigation. Inparticular, he suspended dueto thelack of any communication Slava told us, he concluded that thecasehad been in thecrimes against whichSlava advocated. As involvedenforcementlaw be might officers who proceedings had beensuspended andblamed the and official ones. On June 9 OnJune ones. official and asnew goods used and unofficial selling store, enforcement bodies to expose theactions of the Slava Masonskyi filed a on thecontrary, onJune10 going to ‘concede’ and withdraw the lawsuit, pressure by legal means.Buttheactivist isnot a lawsuit against him,whichSlava perceived as filed had Karpiuk Andrii that page, hereported According to Slava Masonskyi,the In abstracto, Slava Masonskyiwas born group STOP STYLUS.ua andnoted that th , Slava stated crime report withthelaw that thecriminal th th , heestablished a , onhisFacebook the Prosecutor’s Office. In September 2016, In September Vitaliy Shabunin reported beingatarget of illegal Office. Prosecutor’s the government andEuropean partners to reform the embezzlement of fundsallocated by theUS secrecy. PGO investigators allegedly investigated Center, including information subject to bank the possessions and documents ofseize theAnti-Corruption Action to right the (PGO) Office granted investigators of theProsecutor General’s 2016, thePecherskyi District Court of Kyiv City Shabunin was set onfire. corruption activist Vitaliy Incident 13.Thehouse of anti- cases, andsmearcampaigns.OnMarch 22 including physical assault, fabricated criminal subjected to systematic harassment inrecent years, of theAnti-Corruption Action Center have been Shabunin reads asfollows: the persecution of anti-corruption activist Vitaliy statement by human rights organizations regarding pressure related to hispublicactivities. Thejoint (HACC). (ARMA), andtheHighAnti-Corruption Court (SAPO), Office the Asset Recovery andManagement Agency Prosecutor’s Anti-Corruption Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), the Specialized anti-corruption bodies inUkraine –theNational at thepromotion of anti-corruption legislation and the NGOAnti-Corruption Action Center aimed anti-corruption sphere. now he feels even more motivated to work inthe incident withhispublic activities andadds that connections” and found noproblems. He links this weeks two “just that before, thegas noted service checked themeter andall also He hurt. was were present at that time. Fortunately, noone reported thearson of hishouse, where hisparents On thenight of July 23 “Vitaliy Shabunin and other representativesother and Shabunin “Vitaliy Vitaliy ShabuninistheHead of theBoard of This is not the first time that Vitaliy reports Vitaliy that time first the not is This rd , Vitaliy Shabunin , VitaliyShabunin nd , Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 17 . On th of comment that they were were they that notes on , Demian reported th , Mykhailo Tkach, a journalist a journalist Tkach, , Mykhailo th on his reported Hanul , Demian th on his Facebook page: “For “For page: on noted his Facebook that the suspect would remain remain would the suspect that , he noted th On August 8 On August On July 28 On July They travelled from Odesa to the city of the city of to Odesa from travelled They According to the official Mykhailo Mykhailo Sedletska Natalia colleague Mykhailo’s the law that also stressed The journalist Mykhailo Tkach, Tkach, 15. Mykhailo Incident with Schemes: a journalist Program, in Details Corruption his home. at a tap signs of detected The car with activist with activist car The 14. Incident to subject was Hanul Demian gunfire. July 30 July his Facebook page that a court hearing to choose choose hearing to a court that page his Facebook in the attack, the suspect for restraint of a measure 30 July for been scheduled Salii, had Viktor in custody for two months without bail. months two for in custody Facebook page that he had faced an assassination an assassination faced he had that page Facebook he and other where the car, In particular, attempt. gunfire. to subject was travelling, were activists a of activities of the legality verify to Yuzhne have did not which probably point, rental boat an official permit. Demian previously, since, authorities, the local by invited Zatoka of town seaside in the died had a person Additionally, points. rental boat illegal due to that down take to order the mayor’s had they of service and the local The police point. rental But be present. to also expected were architects so the activists place, take did not the takedown the Odesa, to back On the way back. went happened. actually incident were criminal proceedings police, the national instituted under Article “Hooliganism” and detain to operation the an interception initiated police 29 On July the attackers. with Schemes: Corruption in Details Program, Program, in Details Corruption with Schemes: his home. a tap at signs of detected warnings several received I have weeks, several high-ranking irritated activities journalistic my that One me. for gunning started they that and officials ‘drill’. to planning were they that informed source it meant”. what I understood Today, 60 cm long. least at was the ‘hole’ that noted his and above floor on the top lives Mykhailo accessible space, roof is a shared there apartment, entrances. various from enforcement officers whohad arrived upon the , th was , 2017, , 2017, th to the military to opened criminal , 2017, picketing took took picketing , 2017, th , 2018, Vitaliy Shabunin was , 2018, Vitaliy Shabunin was th , 2017, Oleksandra Ustinova, an Ustinova, Oleksandra , 2017, near the military registration and near the military registration th th of of “inflicting bodily harm on journalist in organizing the picketing. the picketing. in organizing involved was that she underwent surveillance by people people by surveillance underwent she that Another criminal case was opened against opened against criminal case was Another On July 17 On July Even with these attacks and ongoing criminal and ongoing attacks with these Even with a gas canister near the military canister with a gas attacked employee of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, Center, Action the Anti-Corruption of employee stated who were making a film about herat the request On June 7 her. discredit to the SSU of surveillance and publication of photos of his of photos of publication and surveillance unfinished house on Internetthe as publication well of as the the data on financial Center. Action Anti-Corruption of transactions on the account The activist appealed to officers law enforcement and surveillance illegal about statement with a no adequate but received information of leak April 9 On response. On May 11 On May place near Vitaliy Shabunin’s house, the purpose the house, Vitaliy Shabunin’s near place and the activist put pressure to which was of Ukraine of him. The Security Service discredit (SSU) Vitaliy Shabunin himself as a result of an incident an incident of as a result Vitaliy Shabunin himself on June 8 2017, the Investigative Department of the Fiscal of Department Investigative the 2017, criminal proceedings instituted in Kyiv Service Action the Anti-Corruption of the leaders against the organization, by tax evasion alleged for Center Pynzenyk. MP Pavlo of the request at enlistment enlistment office,after which activist the suspected performing was the journalist while Filimonenko the Boryspil Later, activities”. professional his lawful District Prosecutor’s a board Ustinova, Oleksandra against proceedings Office on Center, Action the Anti-Corruption member of activities. journalist obstructing of charges summoned summoned Vitaliy Shabunin was registration and since 2000 enlistment the activist has been disqualified office, for He condition. his health due to military service although was registration and enlistment office. On June 9 cases, some media outlets that systematically systematically that some media outlets cases, socialand journalism standards disregard been running a dirty smear campaign have networks and Center Action the Anti-Corruption against undermine the to years Vitaliy Shabunin in recent activists”. anti-corruption of credibility attacked near the building of the Specialized the Specialized of near the building attacked Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Kyiv. in The young of a group counter-action, the of participants green poured uniforms, in camouflage people Vitaliy Shabunin, who at cakes iodine and threw activists. anti-corruption of the rally organized 18 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 brought to theattention of theinvestigator the journalist of theSchemes Program has repeatedly such devices. Thiscontinues, even thoughthe the apartment withspecialequipment to detect investigators have not taken measures to inspect hole in the ceiling of his apartment – the appointed Mykhailo Tkach found signsof atappingdevice –a Article “Violation of personal privacy”. criminal proceedings undertheCriminalCode the house andleft thescene. of sections different from attic the to entrances (with a duct tape and paper notes ‘sealed off’) the premises,police‘sealedofthe the off’ inspection appointed, andsoon.Having carried outageneral proceedings the criminal were instituted, whether aninvestigator was whether out find to told to address the district police station in order police deniedthis.Instead, thejournalists were access anddestroy the material evidence, the the premises (theattic), whichonecould easily requested thepolice to ensure theprotection of crime report andleft. Although thejournalists of theconstruction materials, accepted the premises, went upto theattic, took thesamples call conducted an external inspection of the the Kyiv CityProsecutor’s Office No. 10. of theNational Police of Ukraine investigators with Anatolii Popov, filed a complaint against the inaction Later, onAugust 11 Eventually, thepolice have instituted Fr or as ic Ags 8 August since days four “For th , Mr.Tkach’s lawyer, th , when device had beeninstalled there”. listening any if out find examinationforensic“to a that they planned to hold another inspectionand there”. found Subsequently, the National Police announced were devices technical “no attic, following aninspectionat theapartment and the found certain damage to theceiling. during theinspectionof theapartment, they had the scene andquestioned theapplicant, andthat, reports. the communication, asMykhailo Tkach’s lawyer August 9 inspection was postponed for thenext day, buton the evening of August 8 that such specialinspectionwould beheld on the cityof Kyiv, investigating thecase, promised of Shevchenkivskyi District Police Department in the investigation sectionof police station No. 2 of thepolice SerhiiKhomoretskyi, thehead of in acomment to Radio Liberty. need for such aninspection,” lawyer Popov noted Details Program was set onfire. with Schemes: Corruption in Incident 16. Thecarof journalists on YouTube. During the filming of this piece and and piece this of filming YouTube.the on During already been watched by almost 700,000 viewers the Kia Cerato, was ‘Kings of the Road’, whichhas on Mazur Borys driver crew – film the of member that we had beenworking onwith animportant report last The car. that in was chair – my office kidding that Ididn’t needa chair in the editorial were The colleagues at home. or office editorial I used to spend in this car more time than at the ‘Ze-cortege’, andthe[President’s] visitto Oman. of President Zelensky to astate mansion, andthe such topics as:Mr.Surkis’s birthday, andthemove Mazur. We used thiscarwhenwe were covering Borys driver member, crew film near our of house has burnt the years four for materials our film I learned that thecarthat we had beenusing to in Details investigative journalismprogram. persons set on fire the car of Schemes: Corruption the SecurityService of Ukraine was underway.” involvingof issue “the thus equipment,necessary possess not the AffairsInternal did of Ministry the Initially, thelaw enforcers alsostated that, The police stated that they had inspected According to thelawyer, seniorlieutenant “Last night, I got on a plane and when I landed, On thenight of August 17 On August 10 th , theinvestigator inthecasestated that th , theinvestigator discontinued th . Subsequently, the th , unknown

Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 19 that, in Odesa, two unknown unknown two in Odesa, that, reports Several people supporting Serhii Sternenko Serhii Sternenko supporting people Several Telegram-channel of of Telegram-channel 19.1 Incident and Order Traditions organization which can be published a post as threats. interpreted Case: Attacks and Case: Attacks on LGBTQI pressure in Kharkiv activists upon the fact of a completed attempt to commit commit to attempt a completed of the fact upon a criminal offence under Part 2 Code Article of 296 (“Hooliganism, that the Criminal is a serious motives based on the public order of disturbance in a most the community to disrespect explicit of manner, cynical or exceptionally outrageous persons”). of a group by committed unknown by persecuted been had they that stated hearing. The media outlet the court after persons ZMINA Romaniuk, Oleksandr activist attacked persons as he case, Sternenko’s in court to come had who train the to hearing court the after walking was phone the on talking was “I home. return to station I didn’t someone running behind me. and heard hit was I when turn around, to time the have even something said the attackers of and one the back, in trial?”. Sternenko’s attend to like you “So, like: , activist Oleksandra Oleksandra , activist th , near the Prymorskyi District District , near the Prymorskyi st on her Facebook page that that page on her Facebook reported This time, Serhii’s lawyers filed a crime report crime a filed lawyers Serhii’s time, This The identities of the attackers have been have attackers the of identities The There also was a third person present at the at present person a third also was There On August 25 On August Incident 17. Activist and co-founder of of and co-founder Activist 17. Incident Incident 18. Trial on Sternenko’s case. on Sternenko’s 18. Trial Incident 31 On August According to her, such defamation defamation such her, to According by Miller Law Firm. Law Miller by reported established. Their names are Danylo Baida and Danylo are Their names established. Vitalii Chumakov, and Artem Trenin was filming is The latter the crime. commit to their attempt Roman journalist attacking also being tried for under qualified were actions past His Varshanidze. (“Willful 345-1 Article Code Criminal the of 2 Part injury bodily minor or medium grave of infliction members family or relatives his close journalist, a on activity professional with the lawful in connection the at case is being heard The a journalist”). by region. Odesa of Court Ovidopolskyi District crime scene, crime filmingscene, the incident and not tryingto the to and taken detained was This person flee. the incident. of explanations give to station police Court of Odesa, at approximately 12:50, two two 12:50, approximately at Odesa, of Court with an Serhii Sternenko splash tried to strangers Immediately bottle. a black liquid from unknown in an fled the two crime failed, the attempted after This detained. not were They direction. unknown was VostokSOS Fund reported bullying and defamation and defamation bullying reported Fund VostokSOS Republic. People’s Luhansk so-called in the media of in the report itself, I had repeatedly stressed that that stressed repeatedly I had itself, report in the surveillance under were personally and we our car the Administration from guards President’s the by a Tkach, Mykhailo Ukraine,” of Guard State of on his wrote Program, Schemes with the journalist page. Facebook campaigns do not present any personal danger danger personal any present campaigns do not or significant obstaclesto heractivities, butsuch can be and ‘sorosiata’ as ‘grant-eating’ narratives the of activity important socially any to harmful the work can devalue They civil society. Ukrainian a create and NGOs and initiatives of hundreds of as institute such neutralize would that platform the from criticism and productive control public it with political substituting sector civil society and their decisions. leaders Dvoretska Dvoretska media from the so-called LPR had intensified the She noted her. against and insults smear campaigns from materials seen media she had times many that Federation, Russian and the territories the occupied and a ‘propagandist’ as portrayed she was where so-called of as that portrayed were her activities or ‘grant-eaters’. Soros’) of (‘acolytes ‘sorosiata’ 20 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 should trytheother ways?”. allowed to express ouropinionfreely, maybewe “If a peaceful protest is impossible, if we are not cannot helpbutexpress such suspicious thoughts: LGBTQI community inKharkiv: possible acts of violence against members of the to i.e., protest, peaceful a to alternatives find to a conclusion that could beinterpreted asacall post featured a rather non-figurative paragraph as a prejudice against the‘anti-LGBT’ position. The applied disproportionate force, allegedly dueto response to theKharkivPride2019, butthepolice planning apeaceful counter-demonstration in Organization) theprevious year they had been that (according to therepresentatives of the end uppeacefully, willit?”. new LGBT Prideannounced inKharkiv. Itwon’t and Order publishedapost the Instagram page of the organization Traditions The second attack happenedonSeptember 5 to thecenter andwrote ‘Sodom’ onthewalls. when theunknowns threw eggs at theentrance September 7 and thedoors were poured over withurine. On “This is just a beginning” was written on the walls, an inscription whichcan beinterpreted asathreat community center was alsopelted witheggs and after the opening of the Kharkiv Pride. Then, the community inKharkiv. community center for theLGBTQI consecutive attacks onthe Incidents 19.2-19.4 Three city level related to it, while the first one, on one, first September the 1 while it, to related level city the KharkivPrideand the interventions onthe of days first the to down attacks two latter the were smashed. PrideHub –at night thewindows of the center According to theactivists, themainmotivation been related to theevents at theOdesa Pride. had thecharacteristics of vandalism. representatives. They allhappenedat night and PrideHub, acommunity center for theLGBTQI three attacks had beencommitted against the Kharkiv Pride, stated at apress briefing, inaweek, “After these events, all decent conservatives The text of thepost referred to thefact The organizers of theKharkivPride put The first The attack As AnnaSharyhina,aco-organizer of the On August 2 th st , there was athird attack against the , according to Anna,might have nd took place onSeptember 1 , theTelegram-channel and under the heading “A th st ,

there hasbeenprogress intheirinvestigation. the criminalproceedings referred to andwhether what were the specific Criminal Code articles that lack of corpus delicti. As of now, it is unknown unblemished, ascases had mostly beenclosed for speaker noted that theexperience had not been The efficiency. investigation and police of issue the raised also briefing press the time, same the in the area where the PrideHub is situated. At that thepolice had promised to increase patrols activists inUkraine. in general, the high level of danger for any public the hatred for theLGBTQI community butalso, expressed concern not only aboutthemotives of briefing held on September 9 September on held briefing the KharkivPride2020. Additionally, at thepress prevent furtherevents withintheframework of the active LGBTQI community inKharkivandto of the attackers was anattempt to intimidate The co-organizer of theKharkivPridenoted th , Anna Sharyhina Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 21

assault , outside of business hours, hours, business , outside of th On September 12 On September that on the eve of the of on the eve that be added It should Quoting the organization: “NGO Gay Alliance Alliance Gay “NGO organization: the Quoting with the be associated might that on teenagers, the Although Week. Pride the of beginning on activists, been an attack has not itself incident the to related activism against aggression it shows and targeting community the LGBTQI visibility of be who may but also people activists only not of this community. to as belonging associated of The doors 20.2 Incident center QueerHome community were community the LGBTQI for promoting with stickers pasted and aimed values traditional the community. against peaceful assembly as a part of the conclusion of of the conclusion as a part of assembly peaceful an was there Odesa, in Week Pride the got moderate injuries from beatings with sticks sticks with beatings from injuries moderate got Odesa the of Participants the head. on stones and Pride 2020 have filed total a of the number Hanna, to According 7 crime the police. to reports are all victims not because is small, the reports of the of fear for data personal their leave to ready distrust and due to opponents to leak information of the police. in the effectiveness Ukraine links the vandalism and damage to the to and damage the vandalism links Ukraine activities rights human its to the building of facade Ukraine of Police the National and demands that measures”. precautionary appropriate took several people entered the private territory and territory the private entered people several the for center community the of doors the pasted with propaganda in Odesa community LGBTQI and Order. Traditions the organization of stickers this reported Ukraine Alliance Gay The organization with report a filed activists The page. Instagram its on damage. as property this act reported and the police

throwing eggs at at eggs throwing , a peaceful assembly assembly , a peaceful th On August 30 On August

by the OZON the OZON by the Report to According the of the chairperson to According

people had first-degree skin burns, and 2people first-degree had people by a and the broadcast group public monitoring the participants Informer.od.ua, of representative Since the rally. of the start from right attacked were enforcement law been enough of not had there officers nearby, the servicemen managed tostop After it started. after seconds in 30 only the attack and the demonstrators separated had the police the of the opponents the counter-demonstrators, been repeatedly had rally LGBTQI Pride 2020 the Odesa of committee organizing injured were 16 people of a total Hanna Leonova, minor injuries, them had of most during the attack: 4 the Pride and the police cordon, and several times and several cordon, the Pride and the police used tear gas, thus, some police officers needed site. at medical treatment and the desired format due to the presence of a of the presence due to format and the desired The the participants. to threatening counter-rally the organization of members of consisted latter representatives and other and Order, Traditions as of as well in Odesa, community the religious of groups. military and patriotic other was held to support the visibility of the LGBTQI the LGBTQI the visibility of support to held was of chain a of form the in Odesa in community prevented were the participants fact, In solidarity. place chosen in the assembly a peaceful hold to Pride Week in Odesa. Pride Week of peaceful assembly in the wake of in the wake assembly peaceful of Attacks on participantson Attacks 20.1 Incident activists in Odesa activists pressure against LGBTQI LGBTQI against pressure Case: Attacks and and Attacks Case: 22 Description of incidents related to attacks and persecution of human rights defenders, activists and journalists for their actions to protect the public interest in Ukraine in July-September 2020 location. the community center, and,after awhile, left the a peaceful assembly infront of theentrance to a bannerandannounced that they were holding opponents of theLGBTQI community unfurled of theQueerHomecalled thepolice, andthe again. After theverbal conflict, representatives posters of theorganization Traditions andOrder center andpasted thebuilding withpropaganda tampered thelock onthedoorto thecommunity In addition, as one can see at the photo, they yelling one after one the xenophobic slogans. they began blocking theentrance and were Having realized that they would not belet in, LGBTQI in Odesa were obstructed. QueerHome community the center for at events The Incident 20.3 19 educational event at QueerHomeonSeptember Traditions andOrder organization, cameto their teenagers, mostly therepresentatives of wrote th . Theyoungsters triedto enter theevent. An LGBTQI activist HannaLeonova onherFacebook page that somehostile confirmed thefact of the attack. have might that files the all deleted having after unnoticed the activist’s phoneback to astore him. After alittle while, theattackers returned several other Facebook posts andreleased grabbed hisphone, deleted thebroadcast and several people ran outof amall,beat theactivist, bodyguard started pushing Anton away. Then, office. the in Immediately after thestream began, Prylypko’s achievements latter’s the about Facebook stream, inquiringfrom thetown head head Yurii Prylypko onthestreet andstarted a with thetown head onthestreet. when streaming anencounter Incident 21. An activist was beaten 8 Kudinov, wholives inthistown, onSeptember in the town of Hostomel and to th , theactivist encountered theincumbent town According to thelocal socialnetwork page activist Anton Monitoring Report on Persecution of Activists, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Ukraine (July-September 2020) 23 , Anton’s contact let him know him know let contact , Anton’s th by the UHHRU cites a detailed a detailed cites the UHHRU by piece The Anton notes that he reported the crime to to the crime he reported that notes Anton the law enforcement bodies, the investigation the investigation bodies, enforcement the law reluctantly on very but it moves is underway, and not as effective as could it be. and exhausting is too activist a situation such The that says progress since activities the usual from distracting when be reached can only on the investigation no So far, on the police. presses he constantly he barely says Anton one has been charged. interrogated. the witnesses have to managed intercession the to due only happened This his the UHHRU, from activists rights human by the of support and the active complaints own and the civil society. representatives community that one of the attackers was a relative of the of relative a was the attackers one of that he showed Furthermore, Hostomel. of mayor been on the previously had that some materials the that it clear making phone – thus activist’s personal some activist’s transferred had attackers his phone. keeping were they while data “Skurativskyi ran out of out of ran “Skurativskyi the events: of description with me up hitting rushed and the supermarket the fists.At 70least peoplewerewatching this. the phone wrenched – ed.) (the attackers They Skurativskyi’s their car. to ran hands and my from he would He said me. wrestling started brother incident, the After T-shirt”. my tore and me bury 11 on September

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INVESTIGATIONS BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES A swift and effective investigation of past The procedural deadlines for attacks on activists is certainly an important element 2.registration of crime reports in the in preventing future attacks. If a perpetrator sees URPTI are mostly observed. that his defiant and illegal actions have not been In the case of arson of the car belonging to properly recorded and investigated, he would have Askad Ashurbekov, a public and political activist contempt for law enforcement and the motivation from Zaporizhzhia, which took place on July 15th, to continue his criminal activities. 2020, the criminal proceedings were instituted In order to study the effectiveness of on the very same day and the investigation of investigations, it is necessary to focus not only on the criminal offence according to Part 2 of Article the investigative actions of the law enforcement 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (‘Willful bodies aimed at establishing the contractors, destruction or endamagement of property perpetrators and the actual circumstances of the (…) by way of setting fire’ Intentional property attacks on activists but also on how the crime destruction by arson”) was launched. prevention has been exercised with regard to A similar situation is observed in the case possible future attacks on activists. Whether the of arson of the house owned by anti-corruption procedure for registering a report of a crime is activist Vitaliy Shabunin. On July 23rd, 2020, observed, whether the victim is being explained Vitaliy’s house was set on fire, and, on the very the rights he/she is entitled with, and in what way same day, the investigation department of the the public is informed about the progress of the Boryspil Police Department of the Headquarters investigation in particularly high-profile cases – of the National Police of Ukraine in the Kyiv these are also the matters of importance. region instituted criminal proceedings according Investigations into attacks on activists are to Part 2 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of mostly conducted by the National Police. That Ukraine (‘Willful destruction or endamagement is why our initial attention was focused on this of property (…) by way of setting fire’). Currently, body. Given the significant public interest in the case is being investigated by the office of the investigations into proceedings instituted criminal investigations of the Headquarters of the following the attacks on activists, we used such National Police of Ukraine in the Kyiv region. tool as requests for public information to inquire With regard to the case of the attack on about the measures taken by the police to prevent Volodymyr Savchenko, the head of the NGO the mentioned offences. Additionally, we inquired Spilna Meta, which took place on July 9th, 2020, about the structural unit responsible for the on the very same day, the criminal proceedings implementation of those preventive measures. We were instituted on the grounds of the criminal also asked to provide us with the information on offence according to Part 2 of Article 350 of the when and who had registered the crime reports Criminal Code of Ukraine (“Threats or violence from the victims in the above cases and when the against an official or a citizen who performs his/ victims had been interrogated. her public duty”) and the active investigative Having summarized the results of the actions began. responses received from the National Police, we High-profile cases are being observed several trends. 3.investigated in a more urgent manner. The preventive measures to anticipate Thus, in the case of Volodymyr Savchenko, 1.attacks on activists are not being taken in our opinion, the crime was classified correctly, by the police. Moreover, in the case of threats to the identity of the attacker was quickly Iryna Fedoriv, the editor-in-chief of the CHESNO established, the necessary investigative actions movement, the police registered the report on were fulfilled and, within 11 days, the case was August 14th, 2020, but investigators did not see brought to trial at the Prymorskyi District Court any signs of a criminal offence, so they refused of Odesa. According to the information contained to enter data into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions, Investigations (URPTI). Given that Iryna had been the trial on the merits began on July 31st, 2020. threatened even before, the police of the Kyiv The suspect’s measure of restraint was changed region, probably, would not take any actions until to 24-hour house arrest with a ban on leaving the an actual attack happens. house. The court hearing is underway. 25

CONCLUSIONS

Human rights defenders continue to Among the public activities, the following areas record cases of illegal actions against activists may be identified as the most dangerous: anti- and journalists for their activities in the field of corruption activities (against illegal construction protection of public interests. Such incidents works, exposing local political and business took the form of property damage (9 cases), schemes, etc.), LGBTQI activism, criticism of the threats (5), physical assaults (4), bullying on the state apparatus and political activities of various Internet (3) and defamation campaigns (2), with individuals or organizations. some of the incidents featuring several of these The issue of attacks on activists is a systemic characteristics simultaneously. For the reporting problem that requires a maximum response from period, there happened 3 car arsons and 1 house all branches of state authorities, the society and arson. There have been reported the cases of the international community. Above all, it should pressure on the civil society by the police and be addressed by the law enforcement bodies: the other law enforcement bodies, for example, Office of the Prosecutor General, the National the obstruction of peaceful assemblies (3). The Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State systematic pressure on investigative journalists Bureau of Investigation, which, depending on the of the Schemes: Corruption in Details Program is jurisdiction, are obliged to conduct a full, timely worth specific mentioning. First, Mykhailo Tkach and comprehensive investigation of these cases. detected signs of a tap at his home, and, a few days Not only the perpetrators but also the contractors later, the car of the editorial office was set on fire. of these crimes must be identified and prosecuted.

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ANNEX 1. Methodology for monitoring of attacks on civil society representatives

The direct monitoring of attacks on activists profession, age or other status. Human rights remains crucial to identify new systemic problems defenders carry out their human rights activities and to provide support and publicity to activists individually or jointly, as part of an informal affected by attacks. group or as a non-governmental organization We monitor the persecution of activists (NGO), and act in a voluntary capacity or who are subject to pressure by means of legal professionally. Lawyers, trade unionists, staff instruments (criminal or administrative) and are of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), subject to illegal actions. journalists, medical professionals, public servants Conventionally, we classify the pressure and students, among others, can be human rights into three groups: defenders.” Persecution can affect activists as ►►not related to the use of violence on the well as their close relatives, family members and part of the public authorities acquaintances. ►►by means of violence by the public We reserve the right not to include in our authorities monitoring reports the cases of persons, where ►►mixed (the violence by third parties and there are reasonable grounds to believe that these further inaction by the law enforcement persons have used violence against a person, or it bodies in the investigation of a case) is known from reliable sources that these persons Speaking of ‘pressure by means of legal have called for violence on the grounds of race, instruments’ we mean cases where: religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc. At the a. criminal and administrative measures are same time, we do not consider the unjustified applied to a person committing lawful persecution of such persons to be legal or lawful, actions aimed at the protection of public and we do not endorse such actions in any way. interests and without connection with any We monitor the cases of persecution by offence; means of contacting the victims, collecting and b. criminal and administrative measures are analyzing all the relevant information. We collect evidently disproportionate to the offence primary information regarding the persecution and in which a person has been found guilty or cross-check the information through the widest is suspected; possible range of sources, such as testimonies of c. criminal and administrative measures are victims and witnesses of incidents, their lawyers applied to a person on a selective basis, in and/or legal representatives, receive information comparison with other persons; from central and regional authorities, local d. criminal and administrative measures are communities, minorities and vulnerable groups. the result of an evidently unfair impact Additionally, we survey each victim to on activists, which appears to be linked to systematize and summarize information on actions aimed at the protection of public changes in the effectiveness, well-being and interests. motivation of civic sector representatives in Speaking of the ‘illegal actions’ we connection with persecution. mean: cases of beatings, assaults, forcible We also use secondary sources, such as disappearances, surveillance, threats, intimidation, media reports, data collected by third parties, and damage to movable or immovable property, home information from social networks in the collecting, invasion and other actions to cause physical or processing and verification of information. psychological harm. However, we strive to ensure that in We acknowledge that persecution can most cases our monitoring is based on the be perpetrated by both governmental and non- initial reports of the immediate victims and (or) governmental actors, as well as by unidentified witnesses of the incidents, their relatives, lawyers individuals. We take as a basis the OSCE Guiding and/or legal representatives. In the event where Principles, thus we define the term “human rights we have not managed to reach the victims and defender” as “any person promoting and striving witnesses of an incident, we rely on information for the realization of human rights regardless of gathered through reliable connections from as 29 wide range of sources as possible and assess them a reasonable conclusion about the illegal nature for credibility and reliability. of persecution, not related to domestic violence. We are aware that the list of cases presented In the development of this methodology, in the Monitoring Report is not exhaustive. We we used the methodology of the Human Rights analyze only the most critical cases, that allow Centre “Memorial” and the methodology used us to draw a conclusion on the general situation for drawing up the Reports on the human rights with the security of human rights defenders in situation in Ukraine by the Office of the United Ukraine. In addition, the Report lists only those Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. people and incidents for which we have been able to gather and analyze sufficient material for

30 ANNEX 2. Methodology for determining the effectiveness of law enforcement bodies in investigating attacks on activists

Sources of the developed methodology: Of Article 13 “Right to an effective remedy”; Of Article 2 “Right to life”; The Constitution of Ukraine, namely Of Article 3 “Prohibition of torture”. the provisions of Article 27: “No one shall be Subject matter and the principles of the arbitrarily deprived of life. Protection of human study: life shall be the duty of the State. The study of the effectiveness of actions Everyone shall have the right to protect taken by the law enforcement bodies in his life and health, and lives and health of other investigating the attacks on activists is carried people against unlawful encroachments”; out based on the cases that are documented and Of Article 29: “Every person shall have the verified by the team of Project Strengthening the right to freedom and personal inviolability. No System for Protection of Activists. We determine one shall be arrested or held in custody except the effectiveness of the actions taken by the under a substantiated court decision and on the law enforcement bodies by contacting victims, grounds and in accordance with the procedure their lawyers and/or representatives, relatives established by law...” and acquaintances, by submitting inquiries to Of Article 34: “Everyone shall be guaranteed government bodies, collecting and analyzing all the right to freedom of thought and speech, and the publicly available information. We also use to free expression of his views and beliefs. secondary sources, such as media reports, data Everyone shall have the right to freely collected by third parties, and information from collect, store, use, and disseminate information by social networks, in the processing and verification oral, written, or other means at his discretion...” of information. The term ‘law enforcement bodies’ shall be The Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraıne, construed as the state institutions entrusted with: namely the following provisions: ►►ensuring the prevention of attacks on Of Article 11 “Respect for human dignity”; activists and human rights defenders; Of Article 12 “Right to liberty and personal ►►organizing and conducting investigations inviolability”; into illegal actions against activists and Of Article 25 “Publicity”; human rights defenders; Of Article 28 “Reasonable time”; ►►providing adequate protection to victims Of other articles related to criminal of offences. proceedings. We are well aware that the list of information collected on the actions of the law enforcement The Decisions of the Constitutional Court bodies taken in the investigation of attacks on of Ukraine as regards the interpretation of the activists and human rights defenders may not be provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine and the exhaustive. At the same time, upon receipt of Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine additional information, we are ready to review our assessments in order to determine the effectiveness The Law of Ukraine “On Access to Public of the actions by the law enforcement bodies Information”, namely the following provisions: as accurately and as impartially as possible with Of Article 1 “Public information”; regard to each specific case. Of Article 3 “Guarantees of ensuring the We also strive not only to assess the actions right of access to public information”; of law enforcement bodies in each verified Of Article 4 “Principles of ensuring access case but also prefer to summarize and identify to public information”. trends (both positive and negative) for further communication with government officials. Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in considering the violations of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, namely: 31 The scope of the study: complainants-victims, obtained with due diligence; Crime prevention. ►►proper interrogation and, if necessary, 1.Whether there had been taken sufficient identification through a confrontation of measures to prevent the crime from being a person and other investigative (search) committed. Whether there had been a response to actions aimed at establishing the offenders; any prior types of pressures and/or threats. How the ►► confidential and thorough medical physical law enforcement bodies monitor and evaluate such and psychological examination by forensic cases. experts of the complainants-victims. It should Identification and implementation of be carried out by an independent staff of 2.measures to prevent recurrence of attacks appropriate qualifications, able to determine on activists and human rights defenders. the causes of injuries and their relevance to Availability of a clear system of the content of complaints; 3.mechanisms and procedures for attacks on ►►inspection of the crime scene to identify activists and human rights defenders to be reported. material evidence, including crime instruments, ►►inclusiveness of such system; that could have been used for the attack, ►►time of response to messages; fingerprints, biological fluids and tissues. ►►the result of messages processing; Collection of evidence and conduct of ►►the capability to record a case and conduct an 11.the investigation shall be carried out in investigation even in the absence of a formal accordance with the procedural rules. complaint. Failure to comply with the procedural rules, The failure to ensure the availability of such a resulting in further failure of the criminal proceedings, system can by itself jeopardize a rapid and effective means that not all the reasonable steps have been investigation. taken to ensure the collection of evidence. Adherence to the procedure for Urgency of investigation. 4.registration of criminal offences upon 12.Investigations and possible legal a report by a victim and granting the victim the proceedings must be conducted immediately and respective official status. within a reasonable timeframe. Provision, if necessary, of a victim with a Urgency is the key to gaining public trust. 5.lawyer. Competence of investigators and Dealing with risks. Prevention of the 13.enabling of the investigation process. 6.influence on the part of public authorities Investigative bodies must be fully competent and local governments related to possible corrupt to establish the facts of a case. connections with businesses operating in a specific Whether the investigative bodies are able territory, relevant to the case and which, accordingly, to use the remedies provided by the Law in order cause/have caused pressure/attack on activists. to protect complainants-victims and other persons Urgency and efficiency of, if necessary, involved in the investigation from intimidation or 7.provision of medical services. other means of forcing them to remove themselves Examining by the law enforcement bodies of from the investigation. 8.relevant facts concerning the investigation Investigation systems must be provided with of attacks on activists and human rights defenders. adequate financial and technical resources. Independence and impartiality of the Involvement of the victim and public 9.investigation. 14.control. Independence of officers engaged in the The way in which complainants-victims or investigative activities and of decision-makers from their representatives are involved in the investigation persons involved in the facts under investigation. procedures. Whether victims are involved in Completeness and thoroughness of the specific investigative actions, when appropriate. 10.investigation. Whether they are informed about the progress of Investigations shall include all the reasonable the investigation and all the decisions made. steps to ensure that evidence relevant to the case is Whether the public is appropriately informed collected. about the progress of the investigation in particularly A typical list of necessary investigative serious cases. measures and evidence includes: Accounting of criminal offences where 32 ►►detailed and exhaustive testimony of the 15.activists are victims. ANNEX 3. Sample of request for access to public information with regard to the effectiveness of investigations

Юридична адреса: 03062, Україна, м. Київ, проспект Перемоги, 71/2, кв. 31 Адреса для листування: 01001, Україна, м. Київ-1, а/с 496 www.umdpl.info email: [email protected]

Вих. № 21/08-3 Начальнику ГУНП в Одеській області від «21» серпня 2020 р. генералу поліції 3-го рангу

Бехові О. В.

ЗАПИТ на отримання публічної інформації

09 липня 2020 року у м. Одеса на площі «10 квітня» орієнтовно о 16 годині 20 хвилин було скоєно напад на керівника правозахисної організації «Спільна МЕТА» Володимира Савченка.

З метою формування звіту по нападам на активістів та враховуючи вищевикладене, посилаючись на ст.6. ч.2 Закону України “Про доступ до публічної інформації” (трискладовий тест) та значний суспільний інтерес, прошу надати інформацію:

1. Надайте інформацію, які заходи було вжито, щоб злочин не був вчинений? Який структурний підрозділ відповідав за впровадження цих заходів?

2. Надайте інформацію щодо дати реєстрації заяви потерпілого в реєстрі Єдиного обліку та дати реєстрації заяви в Єдиному реєстрі досудових розслідувань.

3. Надайте інформацію, коли та ким заявнику була надана пам’ятка про процесуальні права потерпілого яка передбачена КПК України?

4. Надайте інформацію чи проводилось освідування потерпілого? Якщо так, коли та ким воно проводилось?

5. Надайте інформацію чи проводилось первинна судово-медична експертиза? Якщо так, коли та ким вона проводилась?

6. Надайте інформацію коли та ким проводився допит потерпілого, скільки часу він тривав?

7. Надайте інформацію, які заходи було вжито, щоб запобігти повторним нападам на заявників? Який структурний підрозділ відповідав за впровадження цих заходів? Чи відбувалось інформування потерпілого про вжиті заходи?

Відповідь прошу надати у визначений законом термін на електронну адресу: [email protected] та поштою: м. Київ, вул. Лютеранська, 26/17, оф. 21

З повагою Виконавчий директор В.С. Пивоваров

Вик: Сергій Перникоза 050-739-11-67 33 ANNEX 4. Responses by law enforcement bodies with regards to the investigations of attacks on activists

34 Scanned with CamScanner 35 36 37 38 39 Association of Ukrainian human rights monitors on Law Enforcement (Association UMDPL) — nongovernmental human rights organization implementing systemic all-Ukrainian monitoring of human rights and fundamental freedoms on law enforcement agencies activity.

Activities (programms): • Countering torture; • Development of public control; • Protection of human rights defenders and activists; • Work with vulnerable groups; • Law enforcement reform.

Association UMDPL has a long work experience in human rights monitoring, has its own pool of experts, who participate in work of consultative and advisory bodies and interdepartmental expert groups. Experts of the Association participate in development of numerous changes to normative acts regulating work of law enforcement bodies and act as coauthors of draft laws, textbooks, analytical and methodical, scientific publications and etc.

Website: umdpl.info

Facebook: fb.com/Association.UMDPL

Email for comments and remarks: [email protected]

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