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.

Monitoring the Implementation of Social Rights for Convicts in Penal Institutions of the Kyiv Region

The findings of the monitoring carried out by the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “Legal Initiative” indicate, in particular, a lack of belief among convicts in the possibility of an improvement in the situation and a distrust of prison staff. The authors of the study believe that their views cannot be ignored, as this only deepens the confrontation between them and the colony staff.

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.

Draft of New Regulations on the Department

Attempts to protect in any manner the Department for Criminal Penalties Execution from subordination to the Ministry of Justice continue. The draft of new regulations testifies to a brutal disregard for commitments made to the Council of Europe

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?

Public Control of Places of Deprivation of Liberty in Kazakhstan

The ultimate objective of monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty in the Republic of Kazakhstan is the desire to persuade the authorities to improve the treatment of persons held in custody and their conditions of detention. The visiting of places of detention and the compilation of reports represent a means for achieving this objective

Monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty in international documents

Most countries equate public oversight with independent monitoring of the observance of human rights in places of deprivation of liberty. Such monitoring is recognised as the primary form of public oversight, and a sufficiently effective one at that.

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.