Human rights defenders discussed with the authorities the Alternative Report to the UN Committee against Torture

On 16 April 2025, the Alternative Report to the UN Committee Against Torture on Ukraine’s fulfilment of its international obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was presented.

The event was organised by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA in cooperation with the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group (ULAG), NGO Ukraine without Torture and Freerights, with the support of the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the National Police, the State Criminal Executive Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as experts from human rights organisations. During the presentation, the key recommendations of the report were presented and discussed.

The experts discussed in detail the key sections of the report, including the definition of torture, challenges in investigating and prosecuting torture, conditions of detention, the role of national human rights institutions, basic legal guarantees, reparation and rehabilitation of victims, as well as documentation and investigation of torture committed by Russia during the armed conflict.

Particular attention was paid to the progress made by Ukraine in combating torture as a systematic violation of criminal justice, namely the development of the National Preventive Mechanism.

The opening remarks were made by Tetiana Pechonchyk, Head of the Board of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA. Sections of the report were presented by Vadym Pyvovarov, Executive Director of FREERIGHTS, Alina Pavliuk, Coordinator of the work of lawyers, Analyst of the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group, Kostiantyn Avtukhov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the NGO Ukraine without Torture, and Maryna Demura, Project Manager of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

The report is available in Ukrainian and English.