Draft Ombudsman bill strengthens institution but carries politicization risks, Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research warns
A draft law on the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Bill No. 13181), passed by parliament in its first reading, would strengthen the Ombudsman’s powers and improve mechanisms for responding to human rights violations. However, some provisions could increase the risk of politicising certain human rights disputes, according to experts from the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR).
The Ombudsman’s Office building. Photo credit: Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human RightsThe draft law, On the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, seeks to replace the outdated law adopted in 1997. The Verkhovna Radaі approved the new version in the first reading on May 26, 2026. The reform aims to bring Ukraine’s Ombudsman institution into line with international standards, including the U.N. Paris Principles and European standards governing national human rights institutions.
UCIPR describes the bill as the most comprehensive reform of the Ombudsman‘s office since the institution was established nearly three decades ago.
“The bill strengthens the Ombudsman’s institutional independence, expands oversight and monitoring powers, improves mechanisms for responding to human rights violations, and develops a regional network of representatives,” the center said.
According to the experts, one of the bill’s main advantages is its alignment with European Union and Council of Europe standards. The effectiveness and independence of national human rights institutions remain key benchmarks in assessing Ukraine’s compliance with the rule of law during its EU accession process.
The draft law would also expand the Ombudsman’s mandate to monitor the human rights situation in temporarily occupied territories, document violations, and protect the rights of internally displaced people, military personnel, children and Ukrainian citizens abroad.
UCIPR noted that strengthening the institution’s capacity could also create new opportunities for cooperation between civil society organisations and the Ombudsman’s Office in monitoring human rights, documenting violations, preparing alternative reports and advocating legislative reforms.
At the same time, the experts identified several provisions that should be revised before the bill’s second reading.
One of the main concerns is the proposed expansion of the Ombudsman’s parliamentary oversight powers.
“Among them is the authority to initiate temporary special commissions or temporary investigative commissions of the Verkhovna Rada to examine human rights violations. Such a provision could create risks of politicizing certain human rights disputes and increase political pressure surrounding issues of significant public importance,” UCIPR stated.
The bill would also broaden the Ombudsman’s authority to respond to failures to comply with requests issued by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s representatives. Without clearly defined limits governing interactions with non-state actors, the experts warn that these provisions could place an additional administrative burden on non-governmental organisations and charitable foundations.
At the same time, UCIPR added that the draft law does not introduce state control over civil society organisations, restrict freedom of association or establish additional government oversight of NGOs.
The experts recommend that the Ukrainian parliament clarify the scope of the Ombudsman’s interaction with civil society organisations and other non-state institutions before the second reading to reduce the risk of disproportionate interference in their activities.
ZMINA previously reported that Human Rights Centre ZMINA argued that the bill does not fully meet Ukraine’s commitments under the EU accession process and unjustifiably expands the Ombudsman’s oversight powers, particularly over civil society organisations.
ZMINA Human Rights Centre Chair Tetiana Pechonchyk has also warned that the procedure for nominating candidates for the Ombudsman’s post does not fully comply with international standards, including the U.N. Paris Principles. She made the remarks during an expert discussion co-organised by ZMINA and the Ombudsman’s Office on 17 December, 2025.
