The Status of Human Rights in Ukraine

Ghandi believed that “a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”  If this gauge is correct, then priorities to ameliorate the conditions of the vulnerable including children, the elderly, the sick, and the needy should be the forefront of state policy.  Fortunately, Ukraine has implemented many reforms in the past 20 years to spread equality to each citizen. However, the problems faced by Ukrainians with special needs can be quite enigmatic.  Despite the progress made to public policy guidelines, there are still problems with implementation and services to avail all Ukrainian citizens with equal access and opportunities.  One of the biggest challenges in Ukraine is the pervasive negative perception of people with disabilities.

The success of the 155 Ukrainian athletes sent to the Paralympic games in London this year showed hope for the public attitude towards the special needs population.  Ranking fourth in national metals, the athletes returned home honored as heroes to a military guard and orchestra.  Aspiring to “inspire and motivate people with special needs in search of work and to convince employers of their potential,” these athletes outperformed all other previous Ukrainian teams.  Their victory provides optimism as they prove that people, with physical limitations are active; “they don’t simply sit at home, but can succeed at something in this life.”   Cvitlana, a woman with special needs from Kyiv, is convinced that the success of these athletes will change the attitude of Ukrainian society and affect the movements advocating for their rights as individuals.

Yet, the movement for people with special needs is only a small reflection of the encompassing campaign for human rights in Ukraine.  Since 2010, the U.S. State Department report concerning human rights has identified Ukraine as democratic, but fails in meeting the western expectations for human rights.  It lists cases of violence and discrimination against women, children, homosexuals, Roma, Crimean Tatars, and others.  Recently, Ukraine was ranked fifth for the number of complaints to the European Court of Human Rights.  Making headlines most recently and contradicting “the obligations of Ukraine, to take part in the European and international agreements on the protection of human rights" is the Ukrainian proposed law against Homosexuality.  Despite the prohibition against discrimination, this law would make it a criminal offense to propagate information in support of gay rights.  Although Ukraine has made many improvements in establishing democratic principles and ensuring equality, its failure to reaffirm fundamental human rights to all citizens has hindered development.  According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promoting human rights facilitates “social progress and better standards of life.”   Therefore, defending human rights should be a priority of any democratic government.

In reality, the Ukrainian Paralympians return home, is a return to a “place of constant struggle” to live within the barriers of society that discriminates, according to Valeriy Sushkevych - head of the National Sports Committee for the Disabled, “in social adaptation as well as in chances for education and jobs.”  He advocates as a lawmaker in the Verkhovna Rada “to see a fair and respectful attitude of society and state towards …Paralympians and all of the other disabled people here.”   Ideology has not moved as fast as the Ukrainian Paralympic successes and stigmas still exist that impede everyday life for these citizens.  Any human rights’ violation disables the targeted population -whether special needs, homosexuals, women, or children - and impedes their opportunity for success.

By analyzing Ukrainian advancement in one sphere of the human rights initiative, it is possible to track the overall commitment and concern of ordinary citizens and government in overcoming social attitudes of apathy and neglect.  An increased awareness and desire to advocate for one population will enable the advancement of other maligned and marginalized citizens. 

Articles:

Shevchenko and Grytsenko .  “Triumph of Ukraine’s strong-willed champions.”  KyivPost.  Sept. 13, 2012. 

http://www.kyivpost.com/guide/all/triumph-of-ukraines-strong-willed-champions-312937.html

“Форум ВВС: як Паралімпіада змінила ставлення до людей з обмеженими можливостями?”  (Forum BBC:  How Paralympics changed the attitude towards people with special needs).  Aug. 29, 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukrainian/multimedia/2012/08/120827_global_disability_forum.shtml

Kravesh and Lacey.  “Українська паралімпійська революція”  (Ukrainian Paralympics Revolution). BBC Україна.  Aug. 23, 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukrainian/sport/2012/08/120806_paralympics_ukraine_revolution_ak.shtml

“Україна демократична, але має проблеми з правами людини – звіт Держдепартаменту” (Ukraine is democratic, but has problems with human rights – State Report).  RadioSvoboa.  March 11, 2010.

http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/news/1981331.html

“Україна – п’ята за кількістю скарг до Європейського суду з прав людини”  (Ukraine – Fifth for the amount of complaints to the European Court of Human Rights). RadioSvoboa.  October 12, 2012. 

http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/24737040.html

“В Украине запретили дискриминацию” (In Ukraine – discrimination is prohibited).  Donbass.  Oct. 4, 2012

http://donbass.ua/news/ukraine/2012/10/04/v-ukraine-zapretili-diskriminaciju.html

“Закон про гомосексуалізм суперечить зобов’язанням України щодо захисту прав людини” (Law on homosexuality contradicts Ukraine's obligations to protect human rights).  Zerkalo Nedilya.  Oct. 3, 2012.