Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Ukraine recognises LGBTQI+ protection as one of Ukraine’s state policy
On 12 October 2026, the president of Ukraine signed Decree No 1038/2026 approving the new National Human Rights Strategy. The full LGBTQI+ acronym was used in the document for the first time
Ukrainian parliament passes law on educational rights of national minorities expected to lift Hungarian veto on EU accession
The law regulates the right of children from national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine to study in their native language alongside Ukrainian, both during classes and outside of lessons. A school will receive national minority status if at least 50% of its students are taught in the relevant language. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education, 149 schools could receive this status
Council of Europe assesses draft law on reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities: gaps identified
The conclusion also highlights the gaps in the draft law. Among the remarks are the complexity of procedures and fragmentation due to the involvement of several bodies. This can affect the timeliness and availability of reasonable accommodation. There is a risk that formal requirements and strict deadlines may affect certain groups of people with disabilities differently
Ukraine’s anti-corruption chief calls for reform of prosecutors, state investigators and parts of security service over corruption
Kryvonos has previously emphasised that criminal exposures alone are not enough to overcome corruption. In February 2026, he elaborated that NABU can detect a crime and send the case to court, but systemic changes are needed to reduce corruption: independent institutions, digitalisation, and the elimination of political influence and bureaucratic obstacles
Ukraine to increase assistance for persons with disabilities since childhood by 2.4 times in 2027
In the 2027 draft state budget, social sector expenditures increased to 540.3 billion hryvnias, up 72.6 billion hryvnias from 2026
Draft Labour Code enshrines ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
The National LGBTI Consortium analysed the government's proposed changes in the context of human rights for LGBTIQ+ people and gender equality. The ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is already present in the current Labour Code of Ukraine. In the new code, it is proposed to move it to Article 5, "Equality of labour rights. Prohibition of discrimination, mobbing (bullying), harassment"
Ukrainian citizens and foreigners entitled to request government data on budgets and salaries
Ukrainian and foreign individuals and legal entities, as well as citizens' associations without legal entity status, have the right to request public information. Entities of authoritative powers - state or local government bodies and their officials - cannot submit such requests
Ukraine’s parliament passes law to increase payments, reform support for families of children with disabilities
Hetmantsev was one of the bill's initiators. Speaking in the plenary hall, he thanked the relevant parliamentary committee, the Ministry of Social Policy and experts involved in drafting the bill. According to him, 160,000 families raising children with disabilities are waiting for the changes provided for by the bill
Ukrainian parliament revises draft law increasing payments for children with disabilities: What the new amounts will be
A Ukrainian parliamentary committee on social policy has recommended that Parliament consider Bill No. 14191 for a repeated second reading. The bill would strengthen state support for children and people with disabilities since childhood, with monthly payments of up to 16,000 hryvnias
LGBTIQ+ service members still face hostility within units and cannot register civil partnerships – study
LGBTIQ+ service members in Ukraine continue to face homophobia and discrimination in the military, while the inability to register civil partnerships remains one of their most pressing challenges, according to the first comprehensive study on the situation of LGBTIQ+ people serving in Ukraine's military
Government backs bill to establish new family-based care as foster families starting in 2027
The legislation would strengthen oversight of children's rights, establish staffing and operational standards for child welfare services, and introduce a system of continuous professional development for their personnel
Draft Ombudsman bill strengthens institution but carries politicization risks, Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research warns
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
European Bureau for Conscientious Objection urges Ukraine to pass alternative service law amid war
The bureau also said Ukraine's failure to meet its commitments stems from the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff's "categorical position" requiring conscientious objectors to perform "alternative" service in non-combat military positions. According to EBCO, this contradicts the religious beliefs of a significant number of Ukrainian conscientious objectors
New draft civil code changes inheritance rules for same-sex couples – lawyer
ZMINA previously reported that, as part of its EU accession process, Ukraine must establish a legal framework for civil partnerships to ensure the rights of same-sex couples. This requirement is set out in a number of documents, including the EU's joint position adopted on 12 June
About 7,000 prisoners of war and up to 20,000 civilians are currently in Russian captivity – deputy speaker of the Verkhovna Rada
Kondratiuk stressed that gathering evidence to hold perpetrators accountable remains critically important, particularly amid what she described as insufficient sanctions pressure on Russia
European conscientious objection group calls for release of imprisoned believers in Ukraine
The report cites data showing that last year, at least 110 people in Ukraine who refused military service because of their faith were imprisoned under court rulings that violate human rights. Thousands of such believers are being forcibly held in military units, while many have faced arbitrary detention and torture
Front Line Defenders slams Ukrainian police inaction after attack on activists Olena Shevchenko and Anastasiia Gerasymenko
Front Line Defenders called on Ukrainian authorities to publicly condemn the attack, ensure the victims have access to medical and legal assistance, conduct an impartial investigation, and guarantee the safety of human rights defenders working to protect the rights of women and the LGBTIQ+ community
The problem with civil society’s involvement in EU integration: Experts discuss interaction with authorities
Representatives of NGOs and think tanks participate in working groups on the development of European integration measures across various fields, according to their expertise. Experts point out that interactions with government authorities regarding work on changes often leave much to be desired.
Columns
Fighting a ‘holy war’: Why a sacralised war resists Western strategy
“Reaching an agreement with the US on what we disagree on”: What the campaign against ICC means for Ukraine
ICC must remain free from political pressure to bring justice to victims of world’s gravest crimes
Only 5% of those responsible for deporting Ukrainian children face global sanctions
