The need for urgent measures to implement the legislation on social and legal support for hostages, prisoners, political prisoners

Based on the results of the public discussion on the Day of the Ukrainian Political Prisoner, the speakers of the event prepared recommendations for state authorities to take urgent actions to protect the rights of citizens deprived of their liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine, as well as their family members.

On January 12, 2023, on the occasion of the Political Prisoner's Day, Ukrinform IA held a public discussion on social and legal support for hostages, prisoners, political prisoners and their families. At the event, human rights defenders and relatives of detainees discussed the state's implementation of the law "On social and legal protection of persons who have been deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine, and members of their families", which entered into force on November 19, 2022.

The law provides for regular financial assistance, legal protection, medical and rehabilitation measures, job security, free education, housing and a number of state services for these categories of citizens.

However, at the executive level, the procedures and mechanisms that enable people to exercise their rights under this law have not been fully implemented.

Download PDF

Other Analytics

See all

Analytics

December 18, 2025

Analytical Report on the Conducted Public Review

The NGO “Association of Relatives of the Kremlin’s Political Prisoners” publishes an analytical report prepared based on the results of a public review of the activities of the Commission for Establishing the Fact of Deprivation of Personal Liberty as a Result of Armed Aggression against Ukraine. The report systematizes the regulatory framework governing the Commission’s work, analyzes its administrative practice, and identifies key shortcomings in decision-making procedures and in victims’ access to social guarantees. Particular attention is paid to issues related to the burden of proof, the determination of the political motive of persecution, and the safeguarding of applicants’ right to be heard. Based on a legal analysis, a review of the Commission’s decisions, and surveys of affected individuals, the report formulates recommendations aimed at improving the regulatory framework, institutional capacity, and procedural fairness in order to strengthen state support for victims of unlawful deprivation of liberty.

June 27, 2025

Digest on the Results of the Legal Aid Service of the NGO "Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners" for March–May 2025

Over the course of three months, the Legal Aid Service team of the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners handled 168 requests. The report provides a clear analysis of the most common issues raised by families of unlawfully imprisoned individuals and outlines how we provide support in each case.