UNDP and the Government of Denmark continue promoting human rights in Ukraine: things to know about the new project

March 6, 2019

Photo: Tetiana Sheburenkova / UNDP Ukraine

Kyiv, 6 March 2019 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with the support of the Government of Denmark has launched a new project – “Human Rights for Ukraine” (HR4U) – to further promote ongoing processes of democratization in the country, focusing on human rights and access to justice for all.  

Over the next five years, the new initiative will foster inclusive and sustainable human development in Ukraine, with funding of US$4.5 million provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Through the project, UNDP will continue to prioritize its work with key national partners and stakeholders, - such as the National Human Rights Institution, national and local authorities, civil society, and human rights defenders – joining efforts to promote human rights across Ukraine and improve access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups.

On the occasion of the project launch, Danish Ambassador Ruben Madsen said “Denmark is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s choice to become a modern European democracy. This is not only the best way to secure prosperity for its people, but also the most effective answer to the dire consequences of the conflict in the East. The cornerstone of any democracy is respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ukraine has made progress in this field in recent years, but there is still some way to go. I hope this project will make a substantial contribution to improve human rights protection of the citizens of Ukraine and to once and for all put an end impunity for those who violate these rights.”

“The ongoing democratic reforms open up new prospects for sustainable development and a better future for Ukraine. But despite all the international legal obligations, political commitments, and good strategies and policies, full enjoyment of all civil and political, social, economic and cultural rights enshrined in international treaties in practice is still an unfulfilled promise”, said Marcus Brand, Democratic Governance Advisor and Team Leader of UNDP’s Democratic Governance Team.  

“The implementation of a human rights-based approach and gender mainstreaming within various technical and administrative reforms, such as decentralization, security sector reform and public administration reform, has the potential to change that. The new project will work closely with the Verkhovna Rada and its Human Rights Ombudsman, and duty bearers at all levels of government and civil society, to address concrete challenges and thus contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030”, Brand added.  

The new project will continue supporting the regional network of the Ombudsperson’s Office and the network of civic monitors across Ukraine, strengthening the capacities of the institution and making it accessible for people in far-distant communities.

UNDP will also actively involve duty bearers at the national and local levels to help build their knowledge and capacity in the area of human rights and using a human rights-based approach (HRBA). This will help to ensure that all reforms that are taking place in the country while observing the SDGs’ core principle of ‘leaving no one behind’.

Working in synergy with other United Nations agencies and other international partners fostering human rights UNDP’s new project will continue to actively engage and empower CSOs and human rights activists as they monitor and report on human rights violations in Ukraine. The project will also address the needs of the conflict-affected population to exercise their rights, including international advocacy and work with conflict-affected (including internally displaced) men and women, and other vulnerable groups.

Media inquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Communications Specialist, yuliia.samus@undp.org, +38 097 139 14 75