A CASE STUDY OF ATTACKS AND PROTECTIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN POST-EUROMAIDAN UKRAINE

Abstract

The efforts of human rights defenders play a crucial part in advancing human rights around the world. For these efforts, many defenders are at risk. In light of many attacks in recent years, it is clear that defenders are not as safe as they need to be. This case study takes a closer look at the defenders in current day Ukraine, a hotspot for attacks in Europe, to critically assess their situation. We explore perceptions of attacks in terms of actors, threats, protections, and recommendations through high-level interviews with experts and leading Ukrainian human rights defenders. Key findings show that systematic problems facilitate attacks against human rights defenders and that protections against such attacks need to be remedial and structural, cutting off the attacks at their source. To increase protection for human rights defenders in Ukraine, the executive power, legislature, judiciary, and information sector needs strengthening reform. The international community, the Ukrainian civil society, and the media are instrumental influences in that process.