FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTE IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the process of formation and development of the Ombudsman institution in Ukraine. It is noted that in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights was officially established immediately after the adoption of the 1996 Constitution and the recognition at the legislative level of the provision on the human being as the highest social value, thereby outlining the general vector of direction for the further development of the state. The beginning of the functioning of the Ombudsman institution in Ukraine, which dates back to 1997 and is associated with the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights”, is analyzed. It is noted that the introduction of the Ombudsman institution had a cause-and-effect relationship, which was formed as a result of the creation of the domestic regulatory framework, which in turn indicates that Ukraine has chosen the path of Europeanization. The activities of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioners for Human Rights during the period of independence are characterized. Attention is drawn to the peculiarities of the Ombudsman’s activities during martial law. The need for further reform of the Ombudsman institution is expressed, namely, spreading of regional activities and the opening of centers of public initiatives involving public discussions. The article concludes that the historical development of the institution of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights in Ukraine is directly related to geopolitical and internal changes. After gaining independence, Ukraine chose a European vector of development. Accordingly, after the adoption of the Fundamental Law in 1996, a regulation was immediately introduced that clearly defined the powers and organization of the activities of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights. It is emphasized that in conditions of martial law, the issue of protecting human and civil rights has a particularly important place, since the destructive consequences of the aggressor’s actions provoke not only violations of rights, but also the total destruction of Ukrainians as a nation. Therefore, an appeal to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is one of the possible forms of extrajudicial protection of violated rights. Attention is also drawn to the fact that it is necessary for our state to independently form the next stages of the institute’s development without departing from the primary goal by reforming, implementation of European experience, and achievement of high performance indicators.