With holy water upon prison walls

Each of more than five hundred convicted prisoners at Mykolaiv Correctional Colony No. 50, located in the village of Zaklad, Lviv Region, on Sunday, 18 January, on the second day of the Orthodox Christmas fast, had a bowl of kutya, four pampushky with poppy and cherry, plum and apple preserves, and a cup of uzvar on their dinner table.

The entire penal system is satisfied with the situation currently prevailing in it

Dear Mr Bukalov! Do you truly believe that our so-called 'guarantor' is in any way dedicated to the values of human rights? It is a myth…. COMMENTARY on a letter to the President of Ukraine

Will the President finally hear the human rights defenders?

Human rights defenders insist on the disclosure of the President of Ukraine's position regarding brutal violations of human rights in the criminal and penal system, appealing to him for the third time with an open letter. In their view, only in this way can he demonstrate his commitment to the values of human rights.

St. Nicholas Day celebration at the Chernihiv Women’s Prison

On St. Nicholas Day, members of the charitable organisation ‘Chernihiv Women’s Human Rights Centre’, together with representatives of the Chernihiv City Supervisory Commission and People’s Deputy of Ukraine G. V. Mankovsky, held a charity event at the Children’s House of the Chernihiv Women’s Prison.

Strasbourg has ruled in the case of ‘Kats and Others v. Ukraine’ (regarding the death of Olga Bilyak in a pre-trial detention centre)

On 18 December, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg issued a ruling in the case of ‘Kats and Others v. Ukraine’, confirming a violation of Article 2 (‘Right to life’) and Article 5 (‘Right to liberty and security’) of the European Convention on Human Rights. This case concerned the tragic death in February 2004 of the poet Olga Bilyak in Kyiv Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 13, in relation to whose criminal charges no final decision has yet been made.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the ‘Amnesty’ Law.

As a result of the application of the amnesty, in accordance with the provisions of this law, it is expected that more than 3,000 people will be released from places of deprivation and restriction of liberty.

Inmates in two Kharkiv colonies to be tested for HIV

Convicts are being taught a loyal attitude towards HIV-infected individuals. The idea belongs to the ‘Network of People Living with HIV (PLWH)’ organisation.

Ukrainians are claiming substantial sums from the state through the European Court of Human Rights

Ukraine is dutifully paying compensation to plaintiffs following decisions by the European Court of Human Rights. In 2008, the country paid five million hryvnias in such compensation to complainants. This was announced in an interview with ‘Deutsche Welle’ by Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Valeriya Lutkovska.

Union of AIDS patients holds ‘Brain Ring’ quiz with prisoners

The Kirovohrad branch of the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) has initiated a ‘Brain Ring’ competition for the first time, with the participation of a team of prisoners from a local colony.

Ukrainian prisoners should be held like true Europeans

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the concept of the State Target Programme for Reforming the State Penitentiary Service for the period up to 2017.

A national commission against torture to be created in Ukraine

The Ministry of Justice is developing a draft law that provides for the introduction of preventive mechanisms against torture in Ukraine. Will this be a separate special body?

Prisoners and AIDS

A court in Karelia has released an HIV-positive prisoner on parole based on a medical conclusion regarding the need for urgent treatment.