Ukraine.jpg

Ukraine

 

  • Number of leading judgments pending implementation: 106

  • Average time leading cases have been pending: 9 years and 2 months

  • Percentage of leading cases from the last 10 years still pending: 59%

Percentage of leading cases from the last 10 years still pending

 

Case example(s)

EIN Blog
Oleksandr Volkov v. Ukraine: Independence and impartiality of the judiciary
Oleksandr Volkov v. Ukraine: Independence and impartiality of the judiciary

In 2010, having reviewed the applications by the High Council of Justice (HCJ), the Ukrainian Parliament voted for the dismissal of Mr. Volkov for ‘breach of oath.’ The applicant complained that the proceedings before the HCJ had lacked impartiality and independence; given the way in which the HCJ was composed and alleged conflicts of interest. Additionally, Mr. Volkov claimed that he was a victim of political corruption.

Georgiy Gongadze and freedom of expression in Ukraine
Georgiy Gongadze and freedom of expression in Ukraine

Georgiy Gongadze—a journalist and longtime critic of human rights practices in Ukraine—was kidnapped and brutally murdered in 2000. The European Court of Human Rights found that the authorities had failed to take seriously the numerous threats that Georgiy had encountered in the run up to his death. The case remains unimplemented, because journalists in Ukraine continue to be threatened and assaulted on a regular basis - and the Gongadze case has never been properly investigated. EIN member the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union advocates for the full implementation of the case, through the establishment of proper protections of all journalists.

Peaceful assembly in Ukraine: the Vyerentsov case
Peaceful assembly in Ukraine: the Vyerentsov case

In October 2010, Oleksiy Vyerentsov was arrested and sentenced to three days administrative detention. His crime: organising a peaceful demonstration in protest against corruption in the Ukrainian prosecution service. Left with inadequate time to prepare his defence, and deprived of the opportunity to consult with a lawyer, Oleksiy decided to lodge a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

In its judgment, the Court found several violations of the European Convention including the right to peaceful assembly and the right to a fair trial.

Useful links

Sources of Statistics: Council of Europe Annual Reports on the Implementation of Judgments and HUDOC EXEC. Statistics as of January 2025.