Training on the protection of human rights in places of deprivation of liberty brought together experts from Ukraine, Greece and Portugal

On 4–5 December, Ukrainian experts took part in a training course on the protection of human rights in places of deprivation of liberty at the invitation of ZMINA. With the support of the Centre for European Constitutional Law (CECL), trainers from Ukraine, Greece, and Portugal underwent training on standards of pre-trial detention. The main focus was on conditions of detention, the provision of legal aid, and access to justice.

 

This two-day intensive programme was part of the DIGNITY project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union and dedicated to bringing together perspectives on a human rights-based approach to pre-trial detention.

The training was moderated by Marina Daliani, a criminal law and human rights lawyer and vice-president of the Hellenic League for Human Rights. Daliani shared her practical skills in defending human rights in criminal proceedings and the challenges that exist in Greek law enforcement practice.

The training brought together lawyers, advocates, human rights defenders and representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office from three countries. During the training, trainers from Ukraine, Greece and Portugal shared their own experiences of assisting people in places of deprivation of liberty and the specifics of preparing applications to the ECtHR.

At the invitation of ZMINA, the training was attended by Maryna Demura, human rights expert of ZMINA, Oleksandr Pavlichenko, executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Dmytro Yahunov, human rights defender, Lawyer and lecturer, as well as Daria Klepka, researcher in the field of criminal law and Expert of the Council of Europe.

Based on the knowledge gained, the trainers will conduct three webinars in February 2026. Follow the updates on the ZMINA and DIGNITY project pages.