Legal support for civilian prisoners

More than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are being unlawfully detained in prisons in Russia and the occupied territories. With our support, Ukrainian human rights defenders are providing legal advice to the relatives of those detained.

We support local partners who provide legal advice to relatives of unjustly imprisoned people and help them locate their relatives in Russian prisons. Together, we are helping Ukrainian families to better assert their rights against the Russian (occupying) authorities.

Within the project, we cooperate with experienced Ukrainian lawyers who support relatives of political prisoners in legal proceedings. The lawyers and other local experts help to determine the whereabouts of the detainees, submit inquiries and complaints to the relevant authorities, and advise families on their legal options.Through this targeted support, we help ensure that relatives are not left alone and receive legal assistance as far as possible in a highly complex and repressive environment.