By Clemence Velon, Communication Associate
As part of its Human Rights Infrastructure for Ukraine 2025-2027 (HRIU) programme, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute organised on April 9 a workshop on the topic “Human Rights Research: From Theory to Practice” at Mariupol State University in Kyiv, Ukraine. The event convened representatives from Mariupol State University and Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University.
Why This Workshop Matters
This Workshop was conducted in response to request from the Representative of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner on Human Rights in Donetsk and Luhansk Regions to provide methodological support to the Working Group which is working on the study of human rights violations in Donetsk and Luhansk Regions in the period between 2014 and 2022, before the full scale invasion to determine patterns which can indicate preparation to the full scale invasion.
During the workshop participants shared examples of human rights issues they address in their everyday work, discussed challenges they encounter, identified what support they need to improve their analysis and as well as different approaches to solve these issues. By working together, they identified how research can move beyond theory and actively support decision-making, documentation, and protection of the efforts made on the ground.
It also contributes to one of the objectives of the HRIU Programme – strengthening cooperation between the Parliamentary Commissioner on Human Rights with academia around human rights protection at local level.
Participant Perspective
Dmytro Mykhalov, Representative of the Commissioner in Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, underscored the importance of the initiative:
“Personally, it is very important to me that the Raoul Wallenberg Institute responded and provided the opportunity to hear the expert opinion of a specialist of international level. This will allow us not only to prepare another study in the field of human rights protection, but also to focus on its practical application.
I expect that our working group – a small team from two universities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – will be able to use the international experience gained and the insights from this training, and integrate them into our research. In the future, we plan to present it to a wide audience. As issues of justice and the protection of human rights are currently among the most pressing in the context of global instability and the crisis of trust in the international security architecture.”
Looking Ahead
For the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, this workshop represents longer-term effort to strengthen Ukraine’s human rights infrastructure and efforts to EU accession. By investing in the practical application of human rights research, the programme contributes to ensuring that evidence-based approaches can support accountability, inform policy, and ultimately enhance the protection of human rights in Ukraine.
Learn more about our work in Ukraine here.