The Minister of Justice has awarded violators of the Constitution

The Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Mykola Onishchuk, has awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry to the heads of territorial departments of the State Department for the Execution of Sentences who have committed violations of the Constitution of Ukraine. The head of the human rights organisation “Donetsk Memorial,” Oleksandr Bukalov, congratulated the Minister on this original initiative in an open letter.

Emergency at Irpin Correctional Centre No. 132

Staff and convicts at institution No. 132 are seeking protection from human rights activists against the head of the facility.

How Easter holidays were celebrated in Lviv colonies

The celebration of Easter holidays in Lviv colonies is, by tradition, not carried out without the support of state authorities, churches of various religious denominations, and concerned citizens.

The third annual report on prisoner rights has been released

The third annual report, “Observance of Prisoner Rights in Ukraine-2007”, has been released, prepared by the public human rights organisation “Donetsk Memorial” with the participation of experts from the Penitentiary Society of Ukraine.

Does the Department offer cooperation?

Correspondence between the head of the human rights organisation “Donetsk Memorial,” O. Bukalov, and the Head of the Department for the Execution of Sentences, V.V. Koshchynets, regarding the interaction between the agency and non-governmental organisations.

Main characteristics of persons who served sentences of imprisonment in Department facilities in 2007

Number of prisoners in the pre-trial detention centres (SIZO) of the State Department of Ukraine by region as of 1 February 2007

Application of punishments not involving deprivation of liberty as of 1 June 2007

Seminar on HIV/AIDS treatment issues in Donetsk region facilities

A seminar was held at the Department of the State Penitentiary Service in Donetsk Region to discuss topical issues regarding support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Open letter of the public human rights organisation “Donetsk Memorial”

After the events in the Izyaslav colony No. 31 in January 2007, special forces units were introduced into the colony. This happened in response to mass disobedience by prisoners who refused to eat. “Donetsk Memorial” tried for a year to find out the details of what actually happened. The Department either did not respond to requests or provided very limited information. Immediately after the January events, nearly 40 prisoners, who were considered the initiators of the organisation of the disobedience, were transferred to other colonies. There is quite a lot of unconfirmed evidence that the transfer procedure took place with numerous violations of prisoners’ rights. To clarify the circumstances of the transfer, “Donetsk Memorial” sent a request to the Department on 19 January, but received a refusal to provide information. As of 26 April 2008, neither a response nor copies of the Protocols have been provided.

The Head of the Department did not appear in court because he was celebrating

In the Donetsk Regional Administrative Court, a hearing previously scheduled for 22 April regarding the lawsuit by Oleksandr Bukalov, head of the human rights organisation “Donetsk Memorial”, against the Head of the Department of the State Penitentiary Service did not take place. The lawsuit concerned an unlawful refusal to provide information.

First commentary on the Decree of the President of Ukraine regarding the Concept

The issuance of the Presidential Decree ‘On the Concept of Reforming the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine’ is marked by a number of characteristic features dangerous to society, which are inherent in the management style of the modern penitentiary system.