12 years of war: what the state must do in 2026 to protect the rights of people affected by the war

On 3 February 2026, the Coalition of organisations dealing with the protection of the rights of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine will present a Roadmap of draft laws and 17 priority steps in the field of human rights protection in the context of the armed aggression against Ukraine in 2026.

Almost 20% of Ukraine’s territory remains under occupation, hostilities continue on a daily basis, and millions of people remain affected by the war. Despite the “peace initiatives” of 2025, the Russian Federation shows no intention of ending its aggression and continues its policy of isolating the residents of the temporarily occupied territories from Ukraine.

In these circumstances, the development and implementation of state policy to protect the rights of people affected by the war remains a critically important task. At the same time, as of early 2026, there is no single body within the Government responsible for this policy, and Parliament is failing to demonstrate adequate momentum in adopting legislative decisions in support of those affected.

The Coalition of human rights organisations presents a roadmap of draft laws and 17 priority steps – a set of recommendations to the President of Ukraine, the Government and Parliament aimed at ensuring effective protection of the rights of people affected by armed aggression against Ukraine and maintaining ties with residents of the temporarily occupied territories.

Issues for discussion:

• What are the expectations of the human rights community for 2026 in the field of protection of people affected by the war?
• Which draft laws should be adopted in 2026, and which pose a threat to the rights of affected people?
• What recommendations should be made to the President of Ukraine within the scope of his powers?
• What should be the priority steps for the Government and Parliament in 2026?

Speakers:

• Anastasiia Burau —  Head of Advocacy on Housing, Property and Land Rights, Right to Protection Charitable Foundation;
• Natalia Yurlova — Senior Legal Analyst, NGO Donbas SOS;
• Olha Skrypnyk — Chair of the Board, the Crimean Human Rights Group;
• Dmytro Spafarov — National Advocacy Specialist, Crimea SOS;
• Alena Lunova — Advocacy Director, the Human Rights Centre ZMINA;

Moderator: Oleksandra Dvoretska, human rights defender, Co-Founder of CF East SOS.

When: 3 February 2026, 11:00 – 12:00.

Where: Ukrinform, 8/16 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street, first floor (Hall No. 1).

Organiser(s): the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

The event will also be streamed on Ukrinform’s website and YouTube channel in Ukrainian and English.

For reference

The Coalition of organisations dealing with the protection of the rights of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine includes: the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, NGO Donbas SOS, NGO Crimea SOS, Right to Protection Charitable Foundation, CF East SOS, Civil holding GROUP OF INFLUENCE, CO CF Stabilization Support Services, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and NGO Crisis Insight.