A delegation of the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, led by Chair Udo Bullmann, travelled to Chernihiv and Kyiv on 22-23 October.
For the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a European Parliament delegation undertook a field visit to a region outside Kyiv oblast to listen to personal testimonies from victims of Russian atrocities in Chernihiv and Yahidne. They engaged with civil society and local and national authorities on implementing the full cycle of justice effectively, from documenting evidence to redress for victims. The delegation also held discussions with the Chair of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush, the President’s Office, as well as the General Prosecutor of Ukraine.
Members stressed the Parliament’s firm support to Ukraine’s quest for seeking justice, upholding human rights and consolidating its judicial system. They underlined their commitment to work towards effective mechanisms to bridge the existing accountability gaps, including for Russia’s crime of aggression through an international tribunal, as well as the urgency to address the situation of civilian detainees, missing persons and abducted children.
MEPs also expressed the Parliament’s determination to stand by Ukraine and to lock in long-term and predictable financial support under the Ukraine Facility. The Facility should also contribute to good governance, consolidating democracy and human rights, including a rights-based childcare system. Members stressed that Ukrainian children, including those suffering intolerable the injustice of deportation and forcible removal, deserve a peaceful and decent future in their country.
Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Udo Bullmann (S&D, DE), who was leading the delegation, declared: “We are truly inspired by the courage, commitment and achievements of the Ukrainian people; they are fighting an existential war against a brutal aggressor and transforming their country at the same time. Based on our shared values, the EU and Ukraine will intensify our joint transformational agenda. Only by keeping up the pace of reforms and sustaining European cooperation and support can we overcome future challenges together. We agreed to step up our dialogue with the Verkhovna Rada and the authorities in this endeavour. The European dream is alive in Ukraine.”
The delegation was composed by the following Members: Udo Bullmann (S&D, DE) , Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, LU), Deirdre Clune (EPP, IE), Isabel Santos (S&D, Portugal), Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (The Greens, DE), and Karol Karski (ECR, PL).
