“The Right to Information” for Convicted Women

The training was organised by the charitable organisation “Chernihiv Women's Human Rights Centre” as part of the project “Ensuring Access to Justice for Convicted Women, Imprisoned Minors, and Persons Released from Places of Detention through the Provision of Legal Aid”. Members of the charitable organisation and the Chernihiv City Supervisory Commission participated in the preparation and conduct of the training.

During the training, the convicts were introduced to the basic provisions of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the European Prison Rules regarding the right to information. In accordance with international standards, all convicts must be informed, both in writing and orally, about the Internal Regulations, their rights and obligations within the penal institution, the procedure for submitting proposals, statements, and complaints, as well as the arrangements for personal meetings between convicts and the facility’s management.
The Deputy Head of the Chernihiv City Supervisory Commission, H.M. Kropyva, provided the convicts with information on the legislative regulation of their right to information regarding their rights and obligations, and the procedure and conditions for the execution/serving of sentences. In his address, he noted that the current Criminal-Executive Code of Ukraine stipulates that convicts enjoy all human and civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine, with the exception of the restrictions defined by this Code, the laws of Ukraine, and established by court verdict. Furthermore, he noted that they have the right to receive information regarding their rights and obligations, as well as the procedure and conditions for the execution/serving of the sentence imposed by the court.
During the training, the convicts were familiarised with the main provisions of the Laws of Ukraine “On Citizens’ Appeals” and “On Information”.
At the conclusion of the training, the convicts received answers to questions regarding the guarantees of their right to information.

A. Lepekha, Director of the charitable organisation “Chernihiv Women's Human Rights Centre”