MENU
Documenting
war crimes in Ukraine

The Tribunal for Putin (T4P) global initiative was set up in response to the all-out war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

KHARKIV HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION GROUP STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 2012-2015

23.03.2014   

1.     Strategic vision of the KHPG development

2.     Conception and model of the KHPG activity

3.     SWOT-analysis, Strategy and Risk management

4.     Strategic development goals of the KHPG structural units for 2012-2015

5.     Strategic objectives within the KHPG programs and projects

 

1.     Strategic vision of the KHPG development

Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG) as a legal entity began to function from November 1992. It was created by ten Memorial Society activists to provide legal, psychological and any other help to persons, whose rights were violated, regardless of their race, skin colour, citizenship, sex, ethnic origin, language, religion, place of residence and their views and opinions. For 20 years, KHPG has become one of the most authoritative and influential non-governmental human rights organizations in Ukraine.

Main trends of state and society development in Ukraine

From 2005 to 2009 we reported the State’s positive intentions with respect to human rights however State policy in this field was ineffective, unsystematic and chaotic. In 2010 – 2011 we were forced to the conclusion that there was no policy at all, that human rights were not a priority for the country’s leaders and that there were every more violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2012 the State policy in this sphere changed somewhat and the human rights situation became more diverse and tapestry-like. One saw positive, sometimes successful, actions by the authorities in certain spheres, aimed at enabling Ukrainians to exercise their rights, however in other spheres there were either no changes or in fact the results of efforts led to even more violations. The reasons for the change in policy lay in the fear of sanctions from international bodies and total international isolation, as well as the need to demonstrate the regime’s successes before the parliamentary elections. However 2012 fully exposed the main feature of this policy, that being to try to implement all recommendations from international bodies which don’t encroach on the power of the Ukrainian leadership and ignore those which threaten that power.

Despite a number of positive changes in the field of human rights such as: 1) the adoption of a new CPC; 2) the adoption of the laws on bar lawyers and on civic associations; 3) developing the system of legal aid; 4) the raise of number of prosecuted law enforcement officers for tortures and ill-treatment; 5) the election of progressive Human Rights Ombudsperson Valeria Lutkovska, who has successful begun creating national preventive mechanisms for prevention of torture and ill-treatment, mechanisms of parliamentary supervision over access to information and protection of personal data and other, the general situation with human rights remains unsatisfactory and deteriorating in many directions.

Wherever the country’s leadership saw a threat to its power or economic interests, it was brutal in its treatment of those whom it saw as encroaching on this power. Political persecution remains a key element of the government policy. The criminal persecutions of Yuriy Lutsenko and Yulia Tymoshenko indubitably are caused by political motives, which make them political prisoners. There are also political persecutions of the civil society members. The fact that the human rights’ activists, community leaders, journalists and politicians become the victims of the persecution gives grounds to conclude that the barometer of democracy in the country reached the critical point. The situation with torture and ill-treatment remains one of the most serious problems in Ukraine. In 2012 the use of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Interior Ministry; SBU; and tax bodies as instruments of repression against the opposition and civic movements continued, or even increased.  The judicial system remained entirely dependent, with control over the courts being a key condition for maintaining power. There was no point in even talking about respect for the justice system. No PACE recommendation regarding judicial reform was implemented.  Every time there was a clash between the economic interests of the elite in power and human rights, the interests of those in power won out. All “reforms” – tax, pension, medical, administrative, etc - as well as many ongoing actions by public authorities (reduction in the network of medical; educational; and cultural institutions; bus routes; local and fast trains, etc) were aimed at reducing the public deficit at the expensive of the population and with disregard for human rights.  This has resulted in an increase in poverty and social inequality which seems particularly disgusting against the incredible increase in political corruption and corruption of high-ranking State figures; the squandering or use for the wrong purposes of public funding. This is coupled by the imitation of a fight against corruption via selective criminal prosecutions with this in fact only increasing corruption.

Under these conditions, KHPG considers that the main indicators of their success are positive changes in the state policy in the field of human rights inspired by organization’s activities.

Vision

KHPG believes that its main strategic objectives in current situation is to intensify its proactive influence on the state and society in order to prevent infringement of human rights and facilitate creation of democratic and rule of law state and development of Ukrainian civil society. KHPG vision is to strengthen proactive influence on the state and society, in order to prevent violation of human rights in Ukraine and help build a democratic and legal state and civil society development.

KHPG mission is to protect human rights and freedoms from the state bodies’ encroachment but also to help state realize and safeguard human rights and to facilitate development of the rule of law state in Ukraine.

KHPG main goal in accordance with its Statute is to encourage and promote proactively full observance in Ukraine of human rights enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution and international treaties and covenants.

Our overall objective is to facilitate implementation by the state of its positive obligations related to human rights and point out the cases where state does not create necessary conditions for realization of human rights or does not react to violation of human rights.

 

2.     Conception and model of the KHPG activity

Strategic objectives which KHPG is to solve to realize its strategic vision:

·       expand our influence on state bodies through:

o   development of cooperation with international partners and gaining a consultative status with international organizations (UN, Council of Europe);

o   holding successful strategic litigations;

o   impact on the law-making process;

o   development of contacts with those people working in public administration bodies and judicial system, whose values are similar with ours.

·       expand our influence on public opinion through:

o   successful Defense of human rights in concrete cases;

o   work of our public reception office;

o   rendering of free legal services;

o   educational programs;

o   conducting of journalistic investigations;

o   development of PR function;

o   volunteer programs;

o   cooperation with non-governmental organizations with the same goals and values.

·       expand our influence on professional community through:

o   rendering of high quality educational services;

o   increasing the number of successful litigations, including strategic.

KHPG is governed in its work by the following values:

·       Humanity and compassion

·       Tolerance

·       Professionalism

·       Transparency and openness

·       Mutual confidence

·       Creative self-organization of its staff

KHPG development is based on improvement of work of each structural unit and on development of programs to achieve better efficiency in realization of KHPG mission and strategic vision. In 2011 with support of SIDA a systemic audit of KHPG work was carried out. Its conclusions and recommendations were used to develop a plan of improvement of KHPG management system up to 2015 (see a list of 40 recommendations for this plan in Attachment 1; in 2012 first 32 recommendations have been fulfilled). Subject to results of this systemic audit detailed development plans for KHPG structural units and programs up to 2015 were also developed (see below on Sections 3 and 4).

Model of KHPG activity

KHPG created its own model of human rights protection. It uses this model in their work. Protection human rights means to run simultaneously in three directions:

1. Defense of victims of human rights violations in specific cases.

2. Civic education and enlightenment on human rights, collection and distribution of information on human rights.

3. Monitoring, analysis and improvement of the human rights situation in Ukraine.

All three areas are closely interlaced, the work only in one direction, generally speaking, cannot be efficient. If one works only with the protection of individuals, then the human rights organizations will be doomed to the non-stop fight with the state under the condition of the legislation, which continued to violate human rights, and people’s ignorance of their rights and their protection tools. The legal enlightenment and teaching human rights, the knowledge of one’s rights, national and international tools of their protection are needed for the successful Defense of rights and for the creation of the rightful atmosphere. Analysis of the situation of human rights involves the analysis of the legal system, of the judicial and administrative practice, compliance with international agreements in the field of human rights, the practice of international bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights, the observation of the legislative process, the initiation of the necessary changes in the law and practice. But any analysis will be insufficient, if not will be based on the specific practices of protection of victims.

Thus, for the implementation of programs aimed at protection human rights KHPG must act simultaneously in three directions, which are inseparably interconnected (see Chart 1):

Chart 1. Gathering and distribution of information on human rights, civic education and enlightenment

Of the full range of human rights KHPG usually selects several key rights and freedoms, which are currently the most up to date, and implements work with them in the described model. Consideration of individual rights KHPG combines well with the analysis and monitoring of the activities of certain government bodies, considering in this case all the rights and freedoms are violated by these bodies. Accounting main trends of state development, KHPG provides the following programs in 2012-2015:

1. Struggle against political persecutions

2. Civic campaign against torture and ill-treatment

3. Human rights Defense through KHPG Public Reception Office (PRO)

4. Strengthening juvenile justice system (fight against torture and cruel treatment of children)

5. Defense of freedom of expression, access to information and right for privacy; increasing transparency and openness of work of public administration bodies and local self-government bodies

6. Struggle against discrimination, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes

7. Security services in a constitutional democracy: oversight and accountability.

8. Dissemination of information on human rights and basic freedoms in Ukraine, civil education and aware-raising activities.

9. Monitoring implementation of decisions of international bodies

10. Study of history of human rights movement in USSR and Ukraine and history of political repression in USSR.

To improve its performance KHPG should also take care of its organizational development: to improve the organizational structure, management system, fundraising and communication (internal and external), to improve the knowledge and skills of the staff, to ensure the conditions for it to work effectively, to attract young professionals who sharing the values and goals KHPG. We also need to develop a network of human rights organizations, and to provide to the members of the network resource support, as well as to create and develop specialized networks, each of which focuses on one key right or several interrelated rights.

Thus, KHPG program activity should be also assessed by such criteria as development of its internal directions (see Chart 2).

 Chart 2.    KHPG organizational development              

 

KHPG structure and management

KHPG now is successfully operating organization with 22 full-time staff, 28 part-time staff and some ten volunteers. KHPG consists of eight main structural units which implement KHPG program and exercise support and coordination of KHPG’s work (see Chart 3).

In accordance with the SIDA recommendations KHPG has changed the composition of its governing bodies and management. A new KHPG Statute has been prepared. The main Statute’s organ is the General Assembly, which meets at least once a year. The General Assembly elects the Board and Chair of the Board, approves the policies of the organization, its annual budget, the reports of the Board and Director, annual financial report and balance. Main governing body is KHPG Board which defines main directions of organization activity and makes key decisions on its development. KHPG Board meets at least once in three months. KHPG Board appoints a Director who is in charge of implementation of Board decisions and efficient day-to-day organization work and management. KHPG Director carefully maintains and stores its financial records and strictly follows all accounting norms and reporting procedures for each project and for the organization as a whole. It was confirmed by regular audits and checks which were undertaken by our donors or their designated representatives. In 2012 comprehensive financial management manual «Financial policies and procedures» and documents «Procurement Policy», «Fraud Policy» as well as «Regulations on external audit» and «Regulations on internal audit» have been prepared in accordance with the SIDA recommendations. Lists of Board members, heads of structural units see in Attachment 2.

Chart 3 KHPG structure

According to the SIDA recommendations we have prepared rules, procedures, plans, meeting schedules and standard meeting agendas for all governing bodies as well as a job description for the position of Director, communications strategy and fundraising strategy. Furthermore, KHPG has developed a human resource management system including an organizational   chart, a staffing plan, detailed job descriptions for each permanent and part-time position, and a process for evaluating job performance, including individual capacity development plans as well as attestation rules for personal. 

 

KHPG financing and fundraising

KHPG has a wide experience in implementing and managing projects, funded by the international organizations. During the last three years KHPG budget amounted to: 2009 – € 209,366 + US$ 164,907.5 + 218,150 UAH; 2010 – € 219,681 + US$ 156,862.5 + 658,565 UAH; 2011 –€227,140.00+ $141,875+731,151.05 UAH. More detailed information on the KHPG financing in 2009-2011 and the donors is presented in the following table.

Year/Charity Fund

2011

2010

2009

National Endowment for Democracy

$42,040

$46,660

$46,100

Open Society Institute (Budapest)

$99,835

 $99,902.5

 $99,902.5

European Commission

€212,540

€212,541      

€201,931     

International «Renaissance» Foundation

587,147 UAH

615,62 UAH

$18,905

U.S. Embassy

73,651.65 UAH

$4,620

Embassy of Germany

218,150 UAH

OXFAM NOVIB, the Netherlands   

70,352.4 UAH

€3,640

€4,435

The Heinrich Böll Foundation

88,680 UAH

The NATO Liaison Office Ukraine

€3,500

€3,000

Foundation «Remembrance,

Responsibility, Future» (Berlin)

€14,6000

Total   (€1 = 10.5 UAH, $1 = 8 UAH)

4 137.55 UAH

4 220,41 UAH

3 735,75 UAH

 

3. SWOT-analysis, Strategy and Risk management  SWOT-analysis

Goals

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

1. Defense of victims of human rights violations in specific cases

1. KHPG has the most experienced lawyers in the field of international mechanisms of human rights Defense in Ukraine, the greatest experience and an established pattern of working with people whose rights have been violated as well as the extensive experience in Defense of human rights in national courts and during pre-trial proceedings. 2. KHPG has also very good reputation both on international and national levels.

1. It is difficult to keep good lawyers in KHPG, because wages in HPG quite small.

2. After the adoption of the new Criminal Procedure Code, we have a problem with the representation of victims of human rights violations in national courts, because it requires specific certificate of lawyer.

1. KHPG has the opportunity to raise the wages for lawyers

2. KHPG has also the possibility to hire good lawyer with certificate

3. KHPG lawyers who have no certificate could also get it. 

 

Gross interference of the state into the KHPG activities, political persecution

Lack of funding

 

 

2. Civic education and enlightenment on human rights, collection and distribution of information on human rights

1. KHPG has the greatest experience in Ukraine in the area of Human Right advocacy.

2. KHPG has technical base, publishing house, archive, library and informational resources.

1. KHPG is lagging behind in the use of social networks, infographics and other modern methods of information dissemination, PR technologies and education.

2. Lack of daily copyright materials on KHPG web portal

KHPG developed the communication strategy and planned to hire PR manager and news feed journalist

Gross interference of the state into the KHPG activities, political persecution

Lack of funding

 

3. Monitoring, analysis and lawmaking in the area of Human Rights in Ukraine

KHPG works with the best experts in different human rights branches

Insufficient of direct impact on the parliamentary majority and the executive power

1. Raising up the direct impact on the parliamentary majority and the executive power

2. Taking part in lawmaking

Ignoring the recommendations of human rights organizations by the authorities

Lack of willingness of the parliamentary majority to improve laws related to human rights, of the executive power - to improve its regulations on human rights

Lack of experience of constructive engagement of human rights NGOs with the authorities

 

4. KHPG organizational development

KHPG has big qualified staff and experienced management, three offices, equipment and other recourses

1. KHPG has weak internal communication

2. A slight deficit of modern equipment and software as well as furniture, technical and office space

1. KHPG developed the communication strategy and planned to strengthen internal communication

2. KHPG planned to gradually develop its infrastructure

Gross interference of the state into the KHPG activities, political persecution

Lack of funding

 

5. Development of the human rights NGOs network and its resource support

Since 1992 KHPG provides resource support for human rights NGOs and activists. KHPG organized human right network and in 2004 established Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union. Now KHPG continues to play a leading role in the development of the network of human rights organizations

Lack of using social networks, infographics and other modern methods of information dissemination, PR technologies and education

 

1. Expanding the network of human rights organizations.

2. The use of new technologies, including distance learning in the field of human rights to human rights activists, journalists and lawyers.

Gross interference of the state into the KHPG activities, political persecution

Lack of funding

 

 

Strategy of KHPG activity in 2013-2015 год 

Strategy of KHPG activities in 2013-2015 is presented in the separate table – Results Assessment Framework (RAF). .

Analisys of strategic risks of KHPG 2013-2015

Risk

Type

Probability

Impact

Risk factor

Risk mitigation strategy

Responsible person

Reluctance of President and Government to change the internal state policy

External

5

3

15

Organizing the wide informational campaign to force the government to admit the necessity of change the internal state policy. Cooperation with international organizations and bodies as well as Ukrainian civil society for pressure on the power.

Yevgeniy Zakharov,

PR-manager

Gross interference of the state into the KHPG activities, political persecution

External

2

5

10

Using all legal Defense mechanisms both nationally and internationally

Yevgeniy Zakharov

Worsening political struggle, revolutionary situation

External

4

4

16

Using the situation for the assertion of human rights values. The information campaign on the necessity to observe human rights, even in emergency situations. Development of recommendations to public authorities, law enforcement agencies as well as to the opposition. Demonstration on how to avoid human rights violations

Yevgeniy Zakharov,

PR-manager

Lack of funding

External

2

5

10

Increased fundraising activity. Developing financial plan and try to follow it.

Yevgeniy Zakharov, fundraiser

Lack of cooperation with state bodies in the sphere of Human Right

External

3

3

9

The campaign to force the state bodies to cooperate in the sphere of human rights. Developing communication strategy and try to follow it.

Yevgeniy Zakharov, PR-manager

Lack of cooperation with regional and international partners

External

1

4

4

Development of the communication strategy and follow it.

Yevgeniy Zakharov, PR-manager

Insufficient knowledge and skills of partner organizations

External

3

3

9

Developing the educational programs for partners

Yevgeniy Zakharov

The growing economic crisis, default in Ukraine

External

4

3

12

Monitoring of economic situation in Ukraine. Preventive and operational activities for saving KHPG funds

Nelli Fursova, economist

Lack of qualified staff

Internal

2

5

10

Effective personnel management. Developing the educational programs for KHPG staff

Deputy durector on human resourse

Lack of internal communication

Internal

3

3

9

Development of the communication strategy and follow it.

Deputy durector on human resourse

Corruption within the organization

 

Internal

1

1

1

Develop Anti-corruption policy that all employees will have to sign. Carry out an external financial audit every year.

Maria Shutaliova, Head of the Internal Audit Commission

Financial Plan

The need for financial resources (27 million UAH for 2012-2015) in order to provide a strategic plan is defined as the sum of the budgets of the KHPG programs, specified in the corresponding nine Results Assessment Framework (RAF), and development budgets for the KHPG departments, specified in the corresponding RAF.

Results of fundraising for financing of the strategic plan are given in the table below. The amounts referred to in the column "2012" correspond to actual KHPG costs, incurred in 2012. Lines, highlighted in yellow, represent approved projects that have been supported by donors. Lines, highlighted in blue, represent project proposals which are pending, and decisions on approval has not been adopted. Lines without colour are indicated future projects for which proposals are being prepared. The total amount of funds that have been received and, we hope, would receive by KHPG in 2012-2015, Is 29 181.67 thousand UAH. While in 2013 the amount of confirmed contracts signed with donors without institutional support SIDA, is approximately 4 960 thousand UAH, in 2014 - 472 thousand UAH, in 2015 - 158 thousand UAH. In the calculations we were taken exchange rates € 1 = 10.5, $ 1 = 8 UAH.

Year/Donor

2012

2013

2014

2015

SIDA

€63,858

€333,333

€333,333

€333,333

National Endowment for Democracy

$35,880

$16,320

$42,000

$47,000

$47,000

Open Society Institute (Budapest)

$100,000  

 $100,000

 $100,000

 $100,000

European Commission

104,585.3 грн

  —

European Commission

221,020.78 UAH

€167,932

€ 20,998.07

 

European Commission

       –

€60,053.90      

     — 

€ 15,013.48

European Commission

       –

€ 50,000      

€210,000      

€210,000      

International «Renaissance» Foundation

157,331.76 UAH

892,451 UAH

1050,000 UAH

1050,000  UAH

U.S. Embassy

84,402 UAH

25,690 UAH

$13,000

$13,000

$13,000

European Commission through UHHRU

13485,72 UAH

€5,095

€2,975

 

ISAR Unity Fund

8034 UAH

MATRA, the Netherlands

154,018 UAH

297,182 UAH

 

 

Council of Europe

48,069 UAH

 

 

 

UNICEF

  88,800 UAH

23,200 UAH

 

 

The Heinrich Böll Foundation

 

80,000 UAH

80,000 UAH

Foundation «Remembrance,

Responsibility, Future» (Berlin)

€24,123

University of Notre Dame (USA)

$42,000

$27,500

Total

2 897,340 UAH

9 422,810 UAH

8 586,714

UAH

8 272,633 UAH

According to this table total amount for 2012-2015 is 29 179 497 UAH.

 

4. Strategic development goals of the KHPG structural units for 2012-2015

Strategic goals are those specific goals which can be solved within the KHPG area of influence and whose solution leads to realization of the KHPG strategic vision. 

There are following categories of strategic goals:

1.     To maintain - preservation of the strengths aspects of the organization;

2.     To develop – improvement of organization functioning in those areas where it is possible;

3.     To create new – organizational innovations to achieve better results;

4.     To eliminate – removal of those things that deteriorate functioning of organization.

Main directions of development of KHPG structural units in order to solve strategic goals are shown on Сhart 4 and text below.

 

Structural development

4.1 Development of KHPG public reception office (PRO) to defend people whose rights were violated by state bodies and/or by public officials.

Area of activity: PRO is engaged in the first direction of KHPG activity - Defense of human rights in specific cases, consulting on human rights issues and rendering legal help.

In 2008-2010 KHPG received some 2000 written complaints and a huge amount of oral complaints and complaints via KHPG web-site. During 2011 KHPG receive about 3000 written complaints concerning violation of human rights. Also, PRO staff provides many oral consultations in cases where rights of applicant were not violated. In each case of rights violation PRO staff provides moral, legal and other aid involving, if necessary, highly qualified legal experts and advocates. Legal aid covers such issues as information and consultative help, assistance in preparation of judicial procedural documents, particularly statements of claim to the court, representation of client interests in courts and other state bodies, preparation of petitions to the European court on human rights (ECHR). Annually PRO publishes a report on its work.

Main directions of further development of PRO activity:

- Creation of permanent consultative and information units in six regions of Kharkiv region;

- Regular consultations of PRO team in six regions of Kharkiv region (besides those where function permanent units);

- Development and improvement of volunteer work;

- Further training of consultants working in PRO;

- Intensification of coverage of human rights Defense activity in printed and electronic mass media;

- Strengthening of connections with law enforcement bodies and other human rights NGO;

4.2 Development of KHPG Centre for Strategic Litigations (SLC)

Area of activity: SLC was created within the framework of campaign against torture and cruel treatment. It renders legal aid to more than forty victims a year: assistance in judicial procedures and legal representation. Legal aid is rendered not only in Ukrainian courts but also in ECHR and other international bodies. From 2006 SLC lawyers won in ECHR more than 70 cases concerning tortures and cruel treatment, unlawful detention, extraditions, violation of a right to a fair trial in torture context, etc. Some 30 cases are on the communication stage and some 60 cases are waiting for the Court consideration.

KHPG plans to expand the SLC mandate to include more issues related to torture and to rendering aid to applicants to ECHR on the stage of communication with states. Besides, SLC mandate will include rendering aid to victims of criminal prosecution based on political motives and special typ[e of victims (minors, asylum seekers, people with HIV/AID). We believe that SLC will be able to obtain at the average some twenty positive decision of the ECHR annually.

4.3 Development of the KHPG Information Centre

Area of activity: The Information Centre implements third direction of the KHPG work:  Gathering and distribution of information on human rights, public education and enlightenment.

А main deficiency in the Information Centre work is lack of contemporary technologies of information dissemination (social-network marketing) and infographics. Also, Centre is mainly focusing on coverage of human rights violations but does not pay enough attention to coverage of KHPG and its partner’s successful work (i.e. to internal directions of KHPG activity). KHPG plans to solve these problems by creation of professional PR unit.

An important component of KHPG work in the area of raising public awareness on human rights is its open access human rights library which contains now more than 12000 books and periodicals on law, human rights, history, political science, history of political repression, etc. To improve its efficiency we plan to expand book depository and reading hall, to add regularly new books and periodicals and to create an electronic catalog of printed materials and publications in addition to already existing electronic book catalog.

Besides, we plan to expand and renew weekly (four-five books per week) our electronic human rights library (http://library.khpg.org).

4.4 Development of KHPG Printing Service

Main direction of development of KHPG printing service is based on optimization of work through usage of new printing equipment.

4.5  Development of the financial and accounting department

Main direction of the financial department development is further optimization of its work and minimization of financial risks in the KHPG work. In 2012 KHPG started to use system «Terminal+», special software for accounting book-keeper operations.

Chart 4. Prospects of development of the KHPG structural units up to 2015

5. Strategic objectives within the KHPG programs and projects

5.1 Struggle against political persecutions in Ukraine

After 2010 Presidential elections new Ukrainian public administration began political persecution of its opponents and critics. These persecutions are the open challenge for Ukrainian society and they were widely covered in mass media and by Ukrainian and foreign experts. To stop such actions of authorities KHPG created the Public committee against political persecutions in Ukraine (Committee). Committee includes participants of human rights movement in 1970-80s and also human rights activists working in Ukraine during the last twenty years. 

Committee will undertake the following objectives:

а) to inform Ukrainian public and international community about political persecutions, conditions of its victims and protest actions;

б) to prepare and disseminate a weekly Chronicle of political persecutions in Ukraine in Ukrainian and English languages;

в) to render legal Defense of victims of political persecutions, to create a fund to help victims and their relatives and to provide material help when necessary;

г) to organize actions aimed to stop political persecution, for example, public protests against political persecutions in Ukraine.

5.2 Civic campaign against torture and ill-treatment

KHPG plans to continue its three years long (2009-2011) project on prevention of torture. New project will focus on four interconnected main directions:

a) Analytical, research and legislative work and lobbying;

b) Development of system of legal aid to victims of torturer and cruel treatment;

c) Development and strengthening of NGO network for prevention of torture.

d) Educational activity and raising public awareness on problem of torture.

5.3 Strengthening of juvenile justice system (fight against torture and cruel treatment of children)

KHPG will participate in the three years long European Commission and UNICEF project to support reform of juvenile justice system in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Ukraine aimed at prevention torture and cruel treatment.

5.4 Defense of freedom of expression, access to information and right for privacy; increasing transparency and openness of work of public administration bodies and local self-government bodies

KHPG program on monitoring and Defense of freedom of opinion and rights for privacy will develop along three main directions:

- Analysis of new basic laws on information (Laws “On information”, “On access to public information” and “ On personal data protection”), preparation of draft amendment to these and other information laws and lobbying of these amendments in the Ukrainian parliament;

- Preparation of draft laws and regulations concerning access to archive information and lobbying of these drafts in the Ukrainian parliament;

- Monitoring of practical implementation of law “On access to public information” by the state and law enforcement bodies;

- Undertake regular monthly anti-corruption journalistic investigations;

- Defense of privacy of communications, analysis of Ukrainian legislation, drafts law and practice of wiretapping and other forms of communication interception in comparison with decisions of the European Court on Human Rights according to article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

5.5 Struggle against discrimination, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes

Main directions of development of this KHPG project:

- Monitoring of hate crimes (all cases) and hate speech (by the state bodies) in 17 Ukrainian regions in order to reduce the scale of hate crimes in Ukraine;

- Defense of victims of hate crimes;

- Analysis of situation with vulnerable groups of population whose members are main victims of hate crimes (foreigners of non-European appearance and Ukrainian citizens of non-Slavic appearance, Roma, Crimean Tatars, LGBT community, PLWH groups and drug addicts);

- Systematic analysis of national legislation and its implementation in relation to hate crimes, preparation of recommendation on amendments to legislation and changes in its implementation;

– Preparation of recommendation on prevention of hate crimes;

- Wide dissemination of information about hate crimes in Ukraine.

5.6 Security services in constitutional democracy

This KHPG program will develop in the following main directions:

– Monitoring of human rights violations by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU);

– Analysis of SBU activity in the area of protection of state secrets and other secret information;

– Analysis of SBU activity in the area of protection of personal data;

– Analysis of legislation and its implementation concerning functioning of SBU and State Department on Telecommunications and Protection of Information;

– Preparation of recommendation on amendments to legislation and changes in its implementation concerning SBU activity;

– Wide dissemination of information about violation of human rights by the SBU and organization of its public discussion.

5.7 Dissemination of information about human rights and basic freedoms in Ukraine

We plan the following actions to further improve work on wide dissemination in Ukrainian society information about human rights and their violations and about results of the KHPG projects and programs:

- Regular update and improvement of work of the main KHPG web-site (http://khpg.org) and its specialized web-sites: http://maidanua.org/special/pk/ (“Against torture!” – site for victims of torture and cruel treatment), http://library.khpg.org (virtual library on human rights), http://archive.khpg.org  (virtual museum and archive of dissident movement in Ukraine);

– Preparation, printing and dissemination of “Prava Ludyny” (Human Rights) bulletin (twice a month), monthly English-language bulletin “Prava Ludyny”, monthly bulletin   “Human rights. Civic education” and quarterly bulletin “Freedom of speech and privacy” (in Ukrainian) with its annual resume in English. We shall also widely disseminate all informational materials and books published by the KHPG.

5.8 Civic education and human rights

Within the framework of this KHPG project we plan following main activity:

– Annual five days long school on human rights with forty participants;

– Introduction at the KHPG web-site (http://khpg.org)  of a new big section “Civic education” with daily update;

– Publication and dissemination of the monthly bulletin   “Human rights. Civic education” mainly for school teachers of history and law in those rural regions where they do not have access to internet;

– Preparation, publishing and dissemination of textbook “Human rights in the most recent Ukrainian history”; 

– Regular public discussions on human rights issues in the light of recent Ukrainian history. Each such discussion will cover specific right enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights;

– Development of methodic and scenarios of human rights teaching in schools and colleges/universities and organization of a series of seminars in Kharkiv for students of 10th-11th grades of “Ochag” (Hearth) humanitarian gymnasium.

5.9 Monitoring implementation of decisions of international bodies

Very important direction of KHPG work is monitoring implementation in Ukraine of decisions and recommendations of international bodies on human rights (ECHR, UN bodies, etc.). KHPG main objective is to develop the mechanisms of due implementation of decisions of international bodies and making answerable Ukrainian officials guilty of non-compliance. To achieve this objective we plan:

- To study other countries experience in implementation of decisions of international bodies on human rights;

- To create a data base of state officials guilty of failure to implement these decisions;

- To monitor cases of making somebody answerable for human rights violations, amendments of legislative acts and changes in practice of their implementation in accordance with international recommendations;

- To initiate investigations related to specific decisions of international bodies on human rights concerning Ukraine;

- To inform wide public and state bodies about decisions and recommendations of international bodies on human rights and about progress of their implementation in Ukraine.

5.10 Research on history of dissident movement in Ukraine

Within the framework of this KHPG project we plan:

- To prepare and to publish the third part of biographical dictionary of Ukrainian dissidents containing more than one hundred biographical notes and bibliography; also to publish a separate volume – the fourth part – about movement of Crimean Tatars; 

- To complete preparation of the list of persons repressed by political motives from 1953 until 1988 (more than 3000 names) and to publish it;

- To collect archive documents on dissident movement in USSR and Ukraine to continue the oral history program (interviews with former dissidents);

- To develop a physical and electronic archive of dissident movement in Ukraine;

 - To update weekly (1-2 new materials per week) virtual museum and archive of dissident movement in Ukraine (web-site http://archive.khpg.org);

- To facilitate implementation of better access to archive documents on political repression in archives of the Ministry of Interior and the State Penitentiary Service;

- To prepare, to publish and to disseminate two issues a year of magazine “From archives of VUChK/GPU/NKVD/KGB”;

- To organize in various Ukrainian cities public discussions “Whether Ukrainian people have the right to know truth about their past?”; during these discussions we shall disseminate KHPG publications on history of political repression and discuss the issues of access to archives and history of Ukraine in XX century.

- To prepare, publish and disseminate at the average six books per year devoted to resistance to totalitarian regime in USSR

Attachment 1

Plan of improvement of KHPG management system up to 2015

N

Recommendations

Year

 

Governance and Strategic Management

 

1.             

KhPG should change the composition of its governing bodies by diversifying and rejuvenating its membership-base and institute a regular cycle of Council member rotation.

2012

2.             

There should only be one Chairman of the Council and this person must not be the same as the Director of the organisation.

2012

3.             

The Director must have a job description – either separate or incorporated with the Statute – that reflects his managing functions and clearly separate such functions from the governing role of the Council.

2012

4.             

The governing bodies should meet at least on a quarterly basis, in accordance with the Statute.

2012

5.             

Detailed rules, procedures and plans should be established for all governing bodies and all their activities should be documented in writing, including in meeting minutes and reports.

2012

6.             

Detailed meeting agendas should be established for all governing bodies. 

2012

7.             

KhPG should develop a strategic plan containing an analysis of the institutional context and political environment, clear statement of objectives, strategies to achieve the objectives, and means of monitoring and evaluation.

2012

8.             

KhPG should formulate clear and concrete vision and mission statements as part of a strategic and participatory planning exercise.

2012

9.             

Responsibilities for strategic planning and management should be explicitly recognised in the Director’s job description and the meeting agenda of the Council.

2012

10.         

KhPG should develop a communications strategy and plan that clearly align with the mission and vision of the organisation.

2012

11.         

The vision and mission statements should be published on the KhPG website and included in printed material to promote the unique identity of the organisation.

2012

12.         

The Statute should reflect the expanded scope of work of assisting human rights victims.

2012

 

Financial Management and Control

 

13.         

KhPG must establish a procurement policy including rules and procedures for the organisation of competitive tendering, evaluation of bids, and the recording of procurement decisions.

2012

14.         

The existing internal control system of KhPG must be significantly improved, expanded and documented in writing.

2012

15.         

KhPG needs to consolidate its project accounts into a detailed yearly income and expenditure account and balance sheet for the review of the Inspection Commission and approval of the Council.

2012

16.         

KhPG should commission a yearly, external audit of the consolidated financial accounts of the organisation and present the report of the audit to the Council and Meeting of Members.

2012

17.         

Systems for procuring, contracting, and performing external audits must be established.

2012

18.         

The external auditor must follow IFAC or INTOSAI standards.

2012

19.         

The external auditor must present a management letter to the Council.

2012

20.         

KhPG must establish systems for responding to the Auditor’s management letter which should be documented in writing (as part of a financial management manual).

2012

21.         

KhPG should prepare a yearly, consolidated budget for the review and approval of the Council.

2012

22.         

KhPG should prepare a fraud policy with procedures for reporting and managing suspected fraud and other irregularities.

2012

23.         

The work of the Inspection Commission should be regularised and formalised, including through the development of a checklist for performing internal controls and evaluating existing procedures.

2012

24.         

KhPG’s Council should issue a delegation order devolving financial authority to the Director within clearly specified financial limits.

2012

25.         

KhPG should consider installing an off-the-shelf accounting software that can serve the information needs of both government and donors, shorten the accounting cycle, and reduce the risk for human error.

2012

26.         

Routines for fund transfer and payments should be documented in writing (as part of a financial management manual) and consistently enforced.

2012

27.         

Detailed guidelines and rules for the budgeting process at the organisational as well as project level should be developed as part of a comprehensive financial management manual.

2012

28.         

KhPG should prepare a written fundraising strategy and identify specific fundraising activities as part of the yearly planning cycle of the organisation.

2012

29.         

Current fundraising efforts should target longer-term grant opportunities, implying that KhPG needs to start developing more multi-year projects.

2012

30.         

Routines for external and internal audits, including a management response, should be documented in writing (as part of a financial management manual).

2012

31.         

Salaries should be paid by way of bank transfer.

2012

 

Operational Management

 

32.

Detailed job descriptions should be prepared for all staff. The job descriptions should provide information on specific tasks and responsibilities, reporting lines and the qualifications and experiences needed for the job.

2012

33.

KhPG should develop a human resource management system including an organisational chart, a staffing plan, detailed job descriptions for each permanent and part-time position, and a process for evaluating job performance, including individual capacity development plans.

2012

34.

KhPG should develop formal policies and procedures for financial management, procurement, management of office equipment, communication and filing and record keeping.

2013

35.

The annual plan should be improved and actively used as a management tool for steering the organisation towards its vision and operational goals.

2013

36.

KhPG must develop a system to divide and delegate project management responsibilities and tasks in order to spread risks, develop staff competence and create a learning organisation. 

2013

37.

Major policies and procedures should be documented in an operations manual.

2013

38.

KhPG should develop a project management methodology (in writing) that describes the steps in the project life cycle in depth and meets the standards of the most demanding funding agencies (e.g. EC).

2013

39.

Existing M&E methods should be combined into an organisation-wide M&E system, ensuring that deviations and experience gained are methodically incorporated in new plans and project.

2013

40.

A system for risk management should be established and applied throughout the organisational chain (from the strategic level to the project level).

2013

 

 

Attachment 2

List of KHPG Board members

  1. Irina Rapp – Chairperson of the Board
  2. Irina Bagaley
  3. Alexey Korotaev
  4. Nina Kusaikina
  5. Vsevolod Rechytsky

Heads of the main KHPG structural units

  1. KHPG Director – Yevgeniy Zakharov
  2. Chief office manager – Oleksandr Pavlichenko
  3. Public Reception Office – Luidmila Klochko
  4. Strategic Litigation Center – Gennadiy Tokarev
  5. Information Center – Yevgeniy Zakharov
  6. Library – Olga Zviagintzeva
  7. Publishing House – Oleg Miroshnitchenko
  8. Print Service – Vitaly Sviatsky
  9. Financial Department – Nelly Fursova

 

 

 Share this