Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022 the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine has remained a constant partner to the Ukrainian authorities and society. Rooted in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine "Resilience, recovery and reconstruction 2023-26", the office's work reflects a clear commitment to accompany Ukraine for the long haul as it defends its sovereignty and advances on its European path.
The team in the Council of Europe's Office in Ukraine, with more than 80 staff members, is the Council of Europe's largest field presence. Its role goes beyond project implementation. Through joint programmes with the European Union and other partners, it ensures that reforms undertaken in wartime remain firmly anchored in European standards.
Helping ensure judicial independence
A central area of engagement is the justice sector. The office supports Ukrainian institutions in aligning law and practice with Council of Europe standards, while providing practical assistance to judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawyers. Ukraine ranks first among Council of Europe member states in the use of the HELP (Human rights education for legal professionals) elearning platform. Thousands of legal professionals have benefited from Council of Europe training and expert guidance, including in the wartime context - human rights in armed conflict, deportation of children during armed conflicts, internal displacement. Safeguarding human rights in criminal proceedings and ensuring judicial independence are other key areas of cooperation which help maintain public trust in the justice system The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine also contributes to broader recovery and reconstruction efforts by advising on legal reforms, anti-corruption measures and media freedom safeguards.
Protecting human rights within Ukraine's Armed Forces
The Council of Europe is at the forefront of safeguarding the rights of Ukrainian defenders on the frontline, veterans, and their families. It puts an emphasis on enhancing protection of human rights in the armed forces. Through a unique project "Rights of veterans and personnel of armed forces in Ukraine", implemented together with the Ukrainian authorities, the Council of Europe has actively contributed to preventing discrimination, sexual harassment, and torture, while protecting the rights of military personnel with disabilities, those released from captivity, undercover agents, and vulnerable groups.
Preventing ill-treatment in Ukraine
The office also works closely with law-enforcement bodies and the prison system to promote humane treatment and safeguard fundamental rights. The Council of Europe helps to boost the effectiveness, transparency and digital capacity of Ukraine's national preventive mechanism, to help preventing ill-treatment across 3,530 centres of detention for over 71,000 people. Across the country, detention facilities have introduced improved safeguards and strengthened protection for vulnerable detainees. Rehabilitation programmes and professional training have contributed to a system that upholds dignity even under the strain of war.
Human-rights protection in all areas remains at the heart of the office's long-term engagement. Working with national institutions, civil society and local professionals, the Council of Europe supports efforts to prevent violence against women and children, protect national minorities and counter hate speech. Initiatives promoting child-friendly justice and inclusive policies help ensure that even in times of hardship, the rights of the most vulnerable are not sidelined.
Impactful work in villages and towns
The work of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine is not just in the capital but reaches deep into Ukraine's regions and communities. Decentralisation process is one of the country's most successful and transformative reforms. A nationwide survey commissioned by the Council of Europe showed that 77% of Ukrainians believe that further decentralisation will be essential after the war to enhance local capabilities, resources and accountability. More than 200 municipalities have benefited from support to enhance transparent governance, participatory budgeting and inclusive decision-making. Youth-engagement initiatives and citizens' assemblies give residents a meaningful voice in shaping local policies. These efforts reinforce democratic culture at grassroots level, underlining that resilience is built not only in national institutions but also in local communities.
Supporting accountability in Ukraine
The Council of Europe has strengthened Ukraine's capacities to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate crimes involving electronic evidence, including war crimes and gross human rights violations committed in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Prosecutors, investigators, judges, law-enforcement professionals and cyber experts have received targeted training. Under the CyberUA project, the special guidance for Ukraine on international standards on cybercrime and the crime of aggression was prepared.
