On the twenty-eighth of January 2026, the next session of the Rule of Law seminar took place, focusing on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Roadmap. We have previously written about this initiative and are pleased to continue the conversation by exploring its substance and relevance.
The event was held with the support of EU Project Pravo-Justice and the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.
The Rule of Law Roadmap in the European Context
In May 2025, the Government of Ukraine approved the Rule of Law Roadmap — a key policy document outlining Ukraine’s commitments toward alignment with the EU acquis and European standards.
The Roadmap covers four main areas: the judiciary, anti-corruption policy, justice, freedom and security, as well as fundamental rights.
The purpose of the seminar was to share European practices and real-life examples of how rule of law reforms are implemented across EU member states.
Chirikli Foundation’s Contribution to the Discussion
The Chirikli Foundation was represented at the event by Olena Levchyshyna, who participated in panel discussions dedicated to monitoring the rights of national communities, strengthening state policies on the protection of Roma community rights, and preventing discrimination.
Olena Levchyshyna emphasized that civil society organizations play a crucial role in protecting Roma rights, yet their involvement remains insufficiently institutionalized. In practice, NGOs often perform functions that should be carried out by the state at the local level, and this work should become an integral part of official mechanisms, particularly in monitoring and policymaking processes.
Systemic Discrimination and the Need for Prevention
Particular attention during the seminar was given to the issue of anti-Roma discrimination in Ukraine, which remains systemic in nature. Participants noted that preventive measures continue to be one of the weakest elements of state policy in this area.
In this context, strengthening cooperation between civil society, state authorities, and local self-government bodies is essential, alongside the development of preventive approaches aimed at addressing human rights violations before they occur.
The Chirikli Foundation extends its gratitude to EU Project Pravo-Justice and the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine for organizing the seminar and for their continued efforts to raise awareness of Roma rights and prevent discrimination.
