Today is International Human Rights Day: human rights situation in Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
International Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Ukraine has an ambiguous situation with human rights: they are recognized at the constitutional level, but numerous cases are being considered by the European Court of Justice.
Today, December 10, is International Human Rights Day. It was on this day in 1948 that the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UNN writes.
History of human rights
The concept of human rights appeared in the times of Ancient Greece and referred to the natural law, which was developed by philosophers of the Enlightenment.
The key documents that laid the foundation for the modern understanding of human rights were the Bill of Rights adopted by the English Parliament in 1689, the US Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which resulted from the French Revolution in 1789.
Human Rights in Ukraine
The Constitution of Ukraine has a separate section devoted to human and citizen rights and responsibilities.
The human rights situation in Ukraine is quite controversial. On the one hand, after the adoption of the Constitution, Western experts noted that it is one of the most democratic in the world precisely because of the state's guarantees to ensure a wide range of human rights.
On the other hand, Ukraine ranks second among the Council of Europe member states in terms of the number of lawsuits filed with the European Court of Human Rights. This means that Ukrainians cannot defend their rights in national courts of all instances.
Ukraine has the position of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights.
During martial law, some human rights in Ukraine are restricted. In particular, the right to free movement, to hold rallies and meetings, some rights in the field of labor and electoral legislation, etc.
