President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a new National Human Rights Strategy. He signed Decree No. 1038/2026 on 12 October, and the document was published on 15 October.

This is stated in the decree published on the President’s website. The previous strategy, approved in 2021, is no longer in force.

Who the state will protect in particular

The strategy covers everyone under Ukraine’s jurisdiction, regardless of citizenship or place of residence. It pays special attention to those who need additional protection.

They include children, people with disabilities, veterans, internally displaced persons, residents of occupied territories, prisoners and missing persons, indigenous peoples and national minorities. LGBTIQ+ people are named on this list too.

What the strategy says about LGBTIQ+ people

Countering discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes is set out as a separate goal together with respect for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.

LGBTIQ+ people remain one of the groups at higher risk of discrimination, hate speech and other manifestations of intolerance.

National Human Rights Strategyapproved by Presidential Decree No. 1038/2026

The document says sexual orientation and gender identity should be reflected more clearly in law. This concerns liability for hate crimes and protection against discrimination.

The expected results include recording such crimes and investigating them properly. Victims are promised access to free legal aid, and the state hopes they will come to trust it more.

Where the EU comes in

The strategy is meant to bring Ukrainian legislation closer to EU legal standards and help Ukraine meet its commitments in the accession negotiations.

The Cabinet of Ministers must approve a plan to implement the strategy for 2027–2029 within six months. The government will report to the President on progress every year by 1 April.

As a reminder, an extract from the Register of Veterans will appear in the Diia app by the end of October.

Nota bene

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