By: Graciela Moreno Niño, RWI Access to Justice intern
As part of RWI’s project “Standing with Ukraine by Providing Enhanced Rights Protection for IDPs and Refugees” funded by the Swedish Institute (SI) under the SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme, the Europe Office welcomed a delegation of legal aid providers from Ukraine and Poland for the workshop ‘Human Rights-Based Legal Assistance for Ukrainian Refugees and IDPs.’ This past Tuesday, Clara Rice and I had the privilege of supporting Tatsiana Rahozina on an insightful study visit to Copenhagen.
Engaging with representatives from RWI’s partner organisations, the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine and the Polish Legal Clinics Foundation, was an enriching experience. Learning firsthand about their initiatives to support Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) provided valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to ensure access to legal assistance and human rights protection.
Our visit began at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), where we received an in-depth presentation on their work with Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers in Denmark. Representatives from DRC’s Legal Aid, Integration, and Diaspora Programme shared their impactful efforts to protect and assist Ukrainians. What stood out most was the discussion on Denmark’s Special Act for Ukrainian Refugees, which grants them the right to work. The hope is that this progressive approach will eventually extend to the broader asylum-seeking system in Denmark.
Next, we visited Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke/ActionAid, where we toured their facilities and learned about their international and national work in supporting refugees and empowering youth to foster lasting change. By creating opportunities for refugees to volunteer in their space, they not only offer a sense of purpose but also advocate for their integration into Danish society. Together with the Friends of Ukraine association, they have established safe spaces, hosted communal dinners, and provided English lessons for Ukrainians who arrived in Denmark following the full-scale invasion, helping them build connections and support networks. In January 2024, they launched a project aimed at empowering young people to contribute to civil society, aid in reconstruction efforts, and uphold democratic institutions.
Our journey continued at DIGNITY, an organisation dedicated to assisting survivors of torture, including through their rehabilitation clinic. They shared their efforts to uphold the rights of Ukrainians, from providing mental and psychosocial support to monitoring detention conditions and documenting war crimes. The discussion emphasised the importance of psychological well-being both during and after the war and offered valuable perspectives on addressing these challenges.
The visit concluded with a deeply moving experience at the Ukrainian House in Denmark, a cultural hub that raises awareness about the experiences and resilience of Ukrainian people. We explored two exhibitions: Voices of Dignity, which features 50 printed posters and nearly 20 large-scale textile prints showcasing poetry by Ukrainian writers across generations, and A Tribute to Polina Raiko, which highlights the legacy of the self-taught Ukrainian artist who overcame a deeply troubled life through painting. Her home in Oleshky, Ukraine, became her canvas, filled with vibrant and original artwork—until it was tragically ruined by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
As a young human rights practitioner, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges of our times. However, witnessing the dedication and humane approaches of so many individuals and organisations working to protect human rights is both inspiring and reassuring. Seeing the many ways Ukrainians are being supported reaffirms my belief in the importance of this work. Raoul Wallenberg Institute remains committed to being both a catalyst and a driver of change, continuously advocating for human rights worldwide.