Ukraine will strengthen protection of LGBT rights: Zelensky signs decree
фото: REUTERS
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a new National Human Rights Strategy, which, in particular, provides for strengthening the protection of LGBTIQ+ rights and combating discrimination.
This is stated in Presidential Decree No. 1038/2026 of October 12.
The document identifies LGBTIQ+ people – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people – as groups whose representatives may be at increased risk of rights violations. Particular attention is paid to combating discrimination, hate speech and criminal offences committed with the motives of intolerance.
The strategy notes that sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics need to be more clearly reflected in Ukrainian legislation. In particular, it concerns liability for hate crimes and mechanisms for protection against discrimination.
The document also provides for improving mechanisms for LGBTIQ+ people’s access to social protection, administrative, medical, educational and other services, as well as legal aid.
Among the planned measures are improving the investigation of crimes committed with intolerance motives, raising citizens’ awareness of ways to protect their rights, and special training for law enforcement officers and judges.
At the same time, the new strategy does not only concern LGBTIQ+ people. It encompasses the protection of the rights of children, veterans, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, national minorities, and people who have suffered as a result of Russian aggression.
The document should also contribute to the fulfillment of Ukraine’s obligations within the framework of negotiations on accession to the European Union, in particular regarding the approximation of human rights legislation to European standards.
The Cabinet of Ministers must develop and approve an operational plan for implementing the strategy for 2027–2029 within six months. The decree itself does not introduce automatic changes to the legislation, but rather determines the directions of state policy and further reforms.
Earlier in Lviv, students protested against limited access to a meeting with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk , dedicated to discussing the updated draft of the Civil Code. The participants of the action wanted to raise the issue of civil partnerships and the protection of human rights, in particular LGBTIQ+.
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