United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine

Project completed

The conflict in the eastern part of the country has aggravated the human rights situation in Ukraine which requires a comprehensive international monitoring and engagement with relevant actors. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission is well placed to help identifying human rights gaps and concerns in Ukraine, and to formulate specific recommendations for shaping policies and assistance programs.

RegionCountry Topic Period Budget
Ukraine
Human rights
Conflict & fragility
nothemedefined
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Conflict prevention
01.09.2016 - 31.12.2018
CHF  1’400’000
Background

Since the events on Maidan during the winter of 2013/14, the subsequent annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the armed hostilities in the two easternmost regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the overall human rights situation in Ukraine has dramatically deteriorated. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) was deployed in March 2014, upon invitation by the government of Ukraine. It is the only international human rights monitoring mechanism operating in Ukraine to systematically observe and assess human rights violations in the country.

Target

To contribute to the prevention of and accountability for human rights violations and abuses stemming from the conflict and support the development of a coordinated response of all stakeholders.

Target group

The government of Ukraine (Ombudsperson’s Office, law enforcement agencies etc.), international actors engaged in human rights work and humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, and human rights NGOs and other civil society organizations rendering all sorts of assistance to people affected by the conflict. The final beneficiaries of the HRRMU’s work are those individuals, families and communities in Ukraine whose rights have been affected by the conflict in the east of Ukraine and each citizen facing a violation of his/her human rights.

Outcomes
  • The government of Ukraine and civil society organizations will be better informed of human rights issues, in particular in the east, and better equipped to address them
  • Human rights concerns arising from the situation in the east are reflected in the plans, programs and activities of UN agencies
  • Human Rights issues and findings of HRMMU are taken up by international actors in a timely manner
  • Civil society organization’s capacity to provide legal assistance to victims is increased
  • The government and civil society organizations have a better understanding of accountability mechanisms and the conduct of effective investigations of the most serious human rights violations
  • The Government benefits from human rights recommendations and tools to develop and monitor implementation of an effective national human rights action plan
Results

Results from previous phase:  

So far, the HRMMU has identified and documented human rights concerns throughout the country, with a particular focus on the areas affected by the conflict and on Crimea. It has produced numerous reports for various audiences and helped shaping the international humanitarian response to the crisis in the East .The provision of legal advice and referral of cases has directly contributed to protection results, by ensuring the release of arbitrarily detained individuals. HRMMU also assisted in the drafting of the Human Rights Strategy of Ukraine adopted in 2015.


Agency SDC
Credit Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe
Project Partners Contract Partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • UNHCHR


Budget Current Phase Swiss Budget CHF    1’400’000 Swiss Disbursement Till Know CHF    1’398’450
Project Phases Phase 3 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2024   (Current Phase) Phase 2 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2020   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.09.2016 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)