The project aimed at promoting human rights and preventing discrimination in Zakarpattia Oblast has concluded. Its implementation was a response to the challenges faced by society in the context of a full-scale war. The war significantly increased the social vulnerability of certain categories of the population, particularly women, internally displaced persons, representatives of national and ethnic minorities, including the Roma community. These groups most often face violations of their rights, limited access to legal aid, discriminatory practices, hate speech, and an insufficient level of protection of their interests.
The project aimed not only to provide necessary support to people in need but also to strengthen the capacity of authorities, law enforcement, the journalistic community, and the public sector to work together to uphold the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human rights.
Legal Aid - More Accessible for Everyone
One of the main areas of work was providing free legal and advisory assistance to residents of Zakarpattia Oblast. Consultations were provided by specialists from the human rights reception office both directly at the organization's office, remotely, and during visits to communities in the region. This approach allowed reaching people who, due to remoteness, life circumstances, or the consequences of the war, were unable to seek help independently.
During the project's implementation, 181 consultations were provided for 169 unique beneficiaries. Of these, 114 consultations concerned legal issues, and 67 were informational. People sought assistance with social protection, receiving state aid, protecting the rights of internally displaced persons, document processing, access to administrative services, as well as cases of discrimination and rights violations.
Electronic Directory of Free Legal Aid
To make information about available legal services more open and convenient, an electronic directory of institutions providing free legal aid in Zakarpattia Oblast was created within the project.
The directory contains up-to-date information about state institutions, public organizations, and other institutions that residents of the region can contact for legal support. You can view the directory here.
Education as a Tool to Combat Discrimination
The project team paid special attention to educational work and enhancing the professional competence of representatives from various sectors.
Three specialized workshops were held for journalists, attended by 33 representatives of regional media. During the training, international standards for covering sensitive topics, responsible use of terminology, prevention of hate speech, and the role of media in fostering social tolerance were discussed.
Cooperation with law enforcement agencies became an equally important direction. A specialized seminar was organized for police officers, attended by 22 police officers. The event was dedicated to issues of a non-discriminatory approach in performing official duties, peculiarities of communication with representatives of national minorities, and ensuring equal access to justice.
Special attention was paid to working directly in territorial communities. In six target communities - Uzhhorod, Mukachevo, Berehove, Irshava, Stavne, and Kamianka - workshops were held for members of Councils on Internally Displaced Persons, representatives of public organizations, human rights defenders, and activists. In total, 82 participants took part in these events.
During the meetings, participants discussed practical mechanisms for ensuring equal rights, responding to cases of discrimination, peculiarities of protecting the rights of vulnerable population groups, and the role of the public sector in forming inclusive local policies.
Public Monitoring as a Tool for Change
An important component of the project was conducting public monitoring of the activities of the Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration and local self-government bodies in the target communities.
The monitoring aimed to assess the extent to which the principles of equality and non-discrimination are integrated into the activities of authorities, local programs, and management decisions.
Based on the analysis conducted, recommendations were prepared for improving local policy in the field of human rights protection and discrimination prevention. The monitoring results were presented to public representatives, authorities, and published on the organization's information resources, which will contribute to further public oversight and the implementation of positive changes.
Results That Will Continue to Work
The project's implementation was an important step in strengthening the human rights environment of Zakarpattia Oblast. The combination of practical legal aid, educational activities, public monitoring, and advocacy allowed for a comprehensive approach to solving problems related to discrimination and human rights violations.
The project fostered cooperation among public organizations, state authorities, local self-government, law enforcement agencies, media, and active community residents. The established partnerships, developed recommendations, and new support tools, including the electronic directory of free legal aid, will continue to be available to the region's residents.
The results obtained lay the foundation for the further development of a culture of respect for human rights, strengthening the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and contribute to the formation of a more open, inclusive, and just society in Zakarpattia Oblast.