UCIPR experts have analyzed the text of the new draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Ensuring the Openness of Military Registration Data for Certain Categories of Citizens” and found several proposals that could negatively affect the NGO sector in Ukraine.
“The draft law contains significant risks of violating the rights of citizens and contradicts international standards of personal data protection. It jeopardizes the safety of activists and their families, especially in wartime, when protecting personal data is critical,” explains Dmytro Yaprakh, UCIPR legal consultant on freedom of association.
We have identified several key shortcomings of the draft law that may harm civil society:
- violation of the constitutional right to protection from interference with personal and family life;
- a contradiction to the legislation on information protection: disclosure of personal data contradicts the Law of Ukraine “On Information” and international standards such as GDPR;
- discrimination against representatives of NGOs and charitable organizations, limiting their rights to personal data protection in comparison with other categories of citizens;
- the risk of public figures avoiding public activities for fear of persecution increases.
The UCIPR has already sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, National Minorities and International Relations Andriy Zadorozhny with a recommendation to return the draft law for revision or recommend that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine reject it during its consideration.