This week, Ukrainian human rights organizations, including members of the international civil society platform CivilM+, have signed a Roadmap of immediate steps that Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) should undertake within the efforts to overcome the impact of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The document envisages ten steps, in particular, to harmonize national criminal law with international standards, to ratify Rome statute, to resolve, through legislative changes, the issue of access to justice caused by the occupation, to assist people who suffer from illegal political persecution in the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, and other steps. Also, the Roadmap contains strong social points, such as the payment of pensions, reparations/compensations for civilian victims of the conflict, their social protection and rehabilitation.

“Sustainable peace does not start from implementing the Minsk agreements, but from ensuring that victims of the conflict can enjoy their rights in Ukraine,” – stated Ukrainian human rights defenders-signatories to the Roadmap.