The Verkhovna Rada proposes to expand the range of persons entitled to free secondary legal aid

The Verkhovna Rada has registered draft law No. 11456 to expand the list of persons entitled to free secondary legal aid. UNN reports this with reference to the Verkhovna Rada.

Thus, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine proposes to the Verkhovna Rada to include in the list of subjects of the right to free secondary legal aid persons who have suffered from hate crimes on the grounds of race, skin color, political, religious and other beliefs, gender, disability, ethnic and social origin, property status, place of residence, and language.

According to the explanatory note, the draft law is expected to enter into force one year after the end of martial law in Ukraine.

It is also noted that among the recommendations of the European Commission on Ukraine's progress within the framework of the 2023 EU Enlargement Package is  the adoption of legislation aimed at implementing and enforcing the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

In addition, it is recommended to complete the review of legislation on the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, in particular in the field of education, media and the use of the state language, as well as the law on national minorities, in accordance with the recommendations in the opinion of the Venice Commission of June 2023 and its subsequent opinion of October 06, 2023.

Addendum

In September 2023, the Rada adopted a new draft law on national minorities.