Ensuring the observance of socio-economic rights of the conflict-affected population in Ukraine

Alternative report of the Coalition of NGOs on the implementation by Ukraine of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Session 67 (17 February — 6 March 2020).

In October 2019, Ukraine submitted its seventh periodic report, in which it responded to questions posed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on October 18, 2018. A considerable number of these issues concerned the observance of economic, social and cultural rights of the conflict-affected population in Ukraine. The state’s replies, however, do not provide the complete picture regarding the observance of the rights of such groups as IDPs and residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas as well as areas located near the war zone (the so-called “grey zone”).

This alternative report was prepared by an informal Coalition of non-governmental organizations involved in the protection of conflict-affected persons, including IDPs and residents of the temporarily occupied territories. The authors have considerable experience in drafting and advocating for new legislation related to the protection of IDPs’ rights, participate in working groups of relevant ministries, provide significant social and legal assistance to conflict-affected people and provide coverage of the events that take place in the temporarily occupied territories.

The Coalition includes: NGO Donbas SOS, NGO Crimea SOS, Charitable fund Right to Protection, Charitable fund Vostok SOS, NGO Civil holding Group of Influence, The Radnyk programme implemented by the charitable fund Stabilization Support Services, NGO Human Rights Center ZMINA, NGO Crimean Human Rights Group.

Text is available in Ukrainian and English.