Lustration as a tool for overcoming the negative consequences of war: Alena Lunova took part in the discussion of the future elections in Ukraine

On 23 April 2025, a human rights club was held in Kyiv on the topic “Under what conditions can Ukraine hold elections?”, organised by the Centre for Civil Liberties and the Civil Network OPORA. The event brought together experts, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society to discuss the challenges of holding elections during wartime.

Participants raised several important issues, including the conditions under which elections are possible during wartime: from legislative changes and security to the participation of displaced persons, the military and collaborators. Significant attention was paid to the topics of trust in the process, information accessibility, the role of civil society and the need for lustration.

Alena Lunova, Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, emphasised that lustration can be one of the key tools to restore trust in the authorities in the post-war context.

“The purpose of lustration is to restore and protect the democratic and constitutional principles of government. In terms of overcoming the consequences of the war, it can become an important tool to prevent people affiliated with Russia from getting into power. Despite the previous not very positive experience of lustration in Ukraine, we must learn from our mistakes, but implement an appropriate lustration mechanism, as it is an effective tool for the transition from war to peace, from authoritarianism to democracy,” said Lunova.

Lunova also stressed the importance of an in-depth expert discussion of this issue and its legal regulation to avoid reactionary decisions: “There should be an expert discussion of the criteria for lustration, what exactly should be considered a compromising link with Russia. According to a nationwide survey, 68% of Ukrainians believe that lustration can be used as a tool to restore trust in the government after the war. At the same time, even if lustration and restrictions on pro-Russian forces are a public demand, they should be implemented only in accordance with the law. And we support the introduction of the lustration tool, particularly with regard to elected positions. And this procedure should be implemented as soon as possible after thorough discussions with society“.

In early March, a nationwide sociological survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” at the request of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA was presented. The survey covers the impact of the war on Ukrainian society, citizens’ attitudes towards lustration, preservation of the memory of the war and the state policy of recovery.