Enhancing capacity of the Human Rights Protection Center in Zhytomyr

The idea for the project comes from the new concept of Human Rights Centres in Ukrainian regions, developed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament. It is part of an overall strategy of the Commissioner's Office to strengthen regional offices and transform them from public reception points into new tailor-made human rights centres.

Currently, the premises of the Zhytomyr branch of the Human Rights Centre is located in the oblast government building. They have one room with two staff members, and it is not possible to receive clients privately. The new spacious premises will allow the Office of the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament in the Zhytomyr region to set up and run the Human Rights Centre, which will include a safe, neutral and child-friendly space to reduce anxiety and avoid (re)traumatising perpetrators or witnesses of violence. The opening of the Centre will also contribute to the dissemination of information on the means to protect rights, freedoms and legal interests, to raising the level of awareness and culture of rights among the population of the region, to the level of recognition and effectiveness of the Commissioner's work, and to the effectiveness of cooperation and coordination of efforts among all stakeholders.