In 18 Correctional Institutions, Convicts Did Not Contact the Ombudsman Once Over a Year and a Half

30.06.2023 Andriy Didenko

This article was translated using artificial intelligence. Please note that the translation may not be entirely accurate.View the original article

In 12 institutions, not only has there not been a single sealed appeal addressed to the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, but also none to the prosecutor’s office or human rights defenders. We suspect this is not because the convicts have nothing to complain about.

The right to appeal is a fundamental right of every human being. If it is impossible to apply to the competent authorities and report violations of one’s rights, then all other rights are simply nullified.

Those in places of deprivation of liberty are particularly in need of exercising their right to appeal. We can observe the helplessness of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity who are unable to seek help for long periods. For they are effectively blocked, existing in an information vacuum – unable either to receive information or to report violations of their rights. We only learn of these violations after the captives are released from captivity.

And what is happening in Ukrainian penitentiary institutions, where foreigners do not impose their rules and do not interfere with the exercise of rights and freedoms? How freely can people appeal and report violations of their rights and freedoms on Ukrainian territory?

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In 18 Correctional Institutions, Convicts Did Not Contact the Ombudsman Once Over a Year and a Half