UN Monitoring Mission: Denisova's dismissal undermines the independence of the Commissioner's institution
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission states that the dismissal of the Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova contradicts international standards and undermines the independence of this important human rights institution in Ukraine.
This is said in the Mission's statement.
"We believe that it is more important than ever for Ukraine to have an independent and strong institution that can impartially investigate human rights violations and support victims in seeking justice and redress. International standards require that legislation regulating such institutions include an independent and objective dismissal process on well-defined grounds," the statement said.
The Mission notes that the resolution passed by the Parliament "through an unjustifiedly expedited procedure does not explain the reasons for the dismissal of the Commissioner for Human Rights."
"This decision has weakened the independence of the institution and will disrupt its work. We call on the authorities to take immediate measures to ensure the independence of the Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights and to adhere to international standards in law and in practice," the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission said.
As IMI reported, on May 31, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Lyudmila Denisova from the position of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights. She said that she would contest the decision to dismiss her from the position of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, which she considers illegal, in court.
On May 31, over 30 human rights organizations called on the Verkhovna Rada to stop politicizing and trying to destroy the independence of the Ombudsman's institution and to create conditions for an independent competition for this position in compliance with all international standards.
On May 25, 2022, female Ukrainian media workers called on the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova to abstain from excessively detailed descriptions of sexual crimes during the war, as well as to verify and carefully consider every word to avoid sensationalism in the reports.
Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova stated that Lyudmila Denisova did not provide her with any information on rape cases which she reported on social media. Instead, the Commissioner was sending emails.
Lyudmila Denisova was appointed the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights on March 15, 2018. Her term of office should have lasted 5 years.
Help us be even more cool!
