• Ukraine’s human rights record remains poor. Candidates and supporters faced violence and harassment from authorities ahead of October parliamentary elections. Opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko alleged ill-treatment in prison, where she is serving a seven-year sentence, and two of her former political allies were imprisoned. The government extradited two asylum seekers. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists face violence and harassment from nationalist groups. Parliament passed an anti-discrimination law and revised laws protecting asylum seekers. The European Union, United States, and other countries criticized the country’s deteriorating human rights situation.

  • May 30, 2013
    The Ukrainian authorities should investigate violence and threats against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights activists in connection with the Equality March in Kiev on May 25, 2013.
  • May 23, 2013
    Ukrainian authorities should allow the Kiev Pride Equality March, scheduled for May 25, 2013, in Kiev, to proceed and protect its participants from violence, Human Rights Watch said today. In a letter sent to Kiev’s city administration on May 21, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International urged the office not to ban the Equality March, and to protect its participants from violence.

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Ukraine