EUAM Ukraine marks International Human Rights Day alongside Ukrainian partners (Video)
December 10, 2025
On 10 December, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine joins Ukrainians and the international community in marking International Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights. These landmark documents continue to guide the Mission’s work in supporting reform, strengthening public institutions, and promoting a people-centred approach to security and justice in Ukraine.
This year’s commemoration coincides with the conclusion of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Together with our Ukrainian partners, EUAM reaffirms the fundamental right of every person to live free from fear, violence, and discrimination. The Mission will continue to support efforts to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence — including domestic abuse and conflict-related sexual violence — and to ensure that the safety and dignity of survivors remain at the centre of all actions.
The 2025 theme, “Our Everyday Essentials,” underscores that human rights are not abstract concepts but essential principles shaping daily interactions. They matter when someone enters a police station, calls for help, or appears before a judge; when they seek protection, information, or fair treatment. Upholding these rights means ensuring respectful behaviour, transparent and just procedures, and equal access to justice for all.
Ukrainians know too well that human rights are not optional values. After more than three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, the consequences of ignoring human rights are evident in every community. It takes only one case of abuse, one life affected, to recognise why human rights must remain at the core of public life and Ukraine’s European integration path.
EUAM supports Ukrainian authorities in upholding these shared international values, including by assisting in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed during Russia’s war of aggression. This work aims to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims see justice served.
Promoting and safeguarding human rights also relies on strong democratic oversight. One of the key institutions in this system is the Office of the Ombudsperson, together with its regional representatives. Their role is vital for translating human rights principles into practice: promoting accountability within public administration, strengthening internal control, and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to file a complaint and receive an impartial review of potential injustice.
As Ukrainians continue to defend their dignity, freedom, and democratic future, EUAM Ukraine remains committed to standing alongside law enforcement, justice-sector institutions, and oversight bodies. Together, we work to ensure that human rights remain the everyday essentials of public service and the foundation of Ukraine’s European choice.
