Center for Civil Liberties

Working for the protection of human rights in Ukraine and the OSCE region since 2007 and is a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

[Oleksandra Matviichuk @avalaina]

I’m in Prague at Globsec, far from home, but I barely slept. The missile struck near my house. This morning I messaged my colleagues, family, and neighbors to check if everyone was okay.

Last night, Russia unleashed everything it had on civilians. Intercontinental missiles were also fired at Kyiv. The Russians always warn the U.S. that they plan to strike Ukraine with these missiles. That’s why we knew about this attack in advance.

I have a question for the author of the meme “When I become president, I’ll end this war in 24 hours.” Will there be any reaction at all to the massive strikes on schools, hospitals, the Kyiv Opera House, museums, architectural landmarks, residential buildings, markets, and supermarkets?

Maybe Vance will say something? Over the years, he hasn’t been able to do anything to improve the lives of Americans, so he proudly considers his greatest achievement in office to be the cessation of all aid to Ukraine. He publicly announced that this is the main result of his work. I'm convinced, Putin is very grateful to him for that.

And what about the Ukrainians?

They’re taking in people who lost their homes overnight, putting out fires, comforting their pets, mourning the dead, going for coffee at shattered cafes to support small businesses, and discussing Usyk’s victory.

By the way, his first words after being declared the champion were about these shellings. Usyk said that his family and daughters are also currently in a bomb shelter under attack from Russian missiles.

Today my friend wrote:

Stay on your feet as long as you can. If you get hit, recover quickly. Move fast - faster than your opponent. Know that weight isn’t everything. Protect your vulnerabilities, strike at his vulnerabilities, and know where they are. Remember that the crowd in the stands cheers for a long fight, but it’s better for you if it’s shorter. Remember that it will end sooner or later, and you just have to outlast him by a single minute.

This isn’t about boxing. It’s about all of us.

Ukrainians, I’m sending you a hug 💙💛
Because we love, we can do it.

[Roberta Metsola @EP_President]

@vonderleyen @marilena_raouna @sandumaiamd @avalaina @JerzyBuzek @VivianeRedingEU @MichelBarnier @JMDBarroso @EwaKopacz @Sophie_Wilmes Європа нагороджує @avalaina.

За документування воєнних злочинів та захист прав людини в Україні.

За посилення захисту демократії, міжнародного права та загальних цінностей свободи і справедливості.

#EuropeanOrderofMerit 🇪🇺

[Roberta Metsola @EP_President]

For the people who build Europe 🇪🇺

#EuropeanOrderofMerit

[Center for Civil Liberties @ccl_ua]

🇪🇺 Head of the @ccl_ua @avalaina has been awarded the European Order of Merit by the @Europarl_EN during a ceremony in Strasbourg on May 19.

Oleksandra is among the first recipients of the award and received it at the Member level.

[Mykola Tochytskyi @tochytskyi]

Warm welcome to Oleksandra Matviichuk @avalaina, Ukrainian human rights defender and head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties, at the Council of Europe @coe.

Important exchange with the Monaco Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers @MCOatCOE on our shared priorities: accountability for Russia’s crimes of aggression against Ukraine, justice for victims, protection of children and youth, and safeguarding democratic values across Europe.

[Mykola Tochytskyi @tochytskyi]

An important discussion at the Council of Europe @coe with Oleksandra Matviichuk @avalaina, Ukrainian human rights defender and head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties.

The event featured the presentation of her work documenting Russia’s crimes against Ukraine, as well as the Empowered / Спроможні project supporting Ukrainian youth and children affected by Russia’s war of aggression. The discussion continued with an engaging Q&A session on justice, accountability and human resilience in times of war.

Held on 18 May — the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People — the discussion also served as an important reminder that impunity for past crimes only fuels new atrocities.

Special thanks to Ambassador Vebjørn Heines and the Permanent Representation of Norway to the Council of Europe @NorwayCoE for their support and cooperation in making this important exchange possible.

[Commissioner for Human Rights @CommissionerHR]

With Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the @ccl_ua (Ukraine), Nobel Peace Prize 2022, we discussed the ongoing suffering of the people of Ukraine, including in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia. We will continue to join forces to insist on putting people at the centre of peace processes and security agendas. #Ukraine #StandWIthUkraine

[Mariam Lambert : CEO Emile Foundation @Mariam__Lambert]

For most mothers, Mother’s Day is a celebration. For Ukrainian mothers whose children have been stolen, it is a reminder of a crime still unfolding.

Russian forces have taken Ukrainian children into Russia and stripped them of their identities, telling them: you are not Ukrainian, you are Russian.

Ukraine is losing its children. Every day they are gone, their identities, and their futures — are being erased.

As Emile Foundation Goodwill Ambassador, Head of the @ccl_ua, and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate @avalaina has powerfully stated: “Childhood has an expiration date, and therefore the issue of children deported by Russia cannot wait."

That’s why we launched Sunflowers for Ukraine. Every #sunflower shared this May is a symbol of resilience, until every child is home and every mother can celebrate with her children.

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

Three years and four months ago, Oleksandra Matvichuk delivered this powerful statement while accepting the 2022 peace prize on behalf of the Ukrainian human rights organisation Center for Civil Liberties:

"We received the Nobel Peace Prize during the war that Russia started. This war has been going on for 8 years, 9 months, and 21 days. For millions of people, such words as shelling, torture, deportation, and filtration camps have become familiar. But there are no words to convey the pain of a mother who lost her newborn son after the shelling of the maternity ward of the hospital. She had just hugged her child, called him by name, breastfed him, inhaled his smell, and suddenly a Russian missile destroyed her entire universe. Now, the dreamed and so desired child lies in the smallest coffin in the world."

Center for Civil Liberties was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from Belarus and the Russian human rights organisation Memorial. These laureates represent civil society in their home countries and have promoted the right to criticise power and protect the fundamental rights of citizens for many years. Their exceptional work in documenting war crimes, human rights abuses, and the misuse of power underscores the critical importance of civil society in promoting peace and democracy.

Learn more by watching the 2022 peace prize announcement: https://t.co/YqCOELkno4

[Watchers @Watchers_media1]

«Після звільнення Київщини у перші місяці повномасштабного вторгнення журналісти спілкувалися із жінкою, яка пережила сексуальне насильство. Вона погодилася говорити на камеру, але попросила змінити голос, не показувати її обличчя та не зазначати  персональних даних. Її прохання було задоволене. Але відеооператор для перебивок у цьому сюжеті вирішив зняти інтер’єр її кімнати. Ця жінка проживала у маленькому містечку. Далі ви самі все розумієте».

У своїй колонці Олександра Матвійчук, голова Центру громадянських свобод (@ccl_ua), пише про те, як говорити та писати про полон так, щоб не травмувати повторно, не порушувати  приватність і не ставити під загрозу безпеку людей, які вже пережили насильство. 

🖇️https://t.co/WVifXiIhz4

[Ukrainian Centre for European Policy @UCEP_UA]

European Integration and Fundamental Rights: What Systemic Issues Must Ukraine Address Now?

On March 24, together with the Center for Civil Liberties and the NGO Europe Without Barriers, we presented our draft implementation plan for interim benchmarks in the rule of law.

This document is primarily for internal use—to better structure and clarify the tasks ahead. This matters, as even the Rule of Law Roadmap does not fully explain what the state must deliver in this area.

The workload is substantial. Fundamental rights are a critical cluster in accession negotiations, and Ukraine must address systemic issues that are blocking progress. Volodymyr Yavorskyy highlighted three key challenges.

First: anti-discrimination legislation.

Until 2020, Ukraine lacked a comprehensive framework, and current law is still not aligned with EU directives. A new draft risks weakening protections by removing a Criminal Code provision, contradicting international standards. Institutional capacity also remains insufficient.

Second: personal data protection.

There is no independent regulator, legislation has stalled for years, and regulation for law enforcement is virtually absent.

“If Ukrainian companies enter the EU market, where GDPR enforcement allows fines of up to 10% of turnover, they will face massive penalties simply because they are unprepared,” Yavorskyy warns. Even with immediate adoption, implementation would take 4–5 years.

Third: non-enforcement of court decisions.

Around 20% of rulings remain unenforced. Despite a European Court of Human Rights judgment over 20 years ago, the issue persists. Ministries still act in silos, while reforms require coordination. Even key draft laws lack proper public discussion.
🔸 These long-standing issues require immediate action—they directly impact Ukraine’s EU integration.

In May, we will present the final version of the implementation plan. We hope it will accelerate the adoption of necessary legislation.

Stay tuned.

This event was supported by the International Renaissance Foundation and the European Union.

hashtag#eurointegration

[European Investment Bank @EIB]

Solidarity.

This is what it takes to drive gender equality forward for @avalaina, Chair of #NobelPeacePrize winner @ccl_ua.

At the EIB Group, we are committed to ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, work, and innovate.

#IWD2026

[CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs) @CidobBarcelona]

@ccl_ua "La primera línia de defensa d'Europa està a Ucraïna. Trump vol que la guerra acabi ràpid; nosaltres ens hem de preguntar com volem que acabi aquesta guerra", @JosepBorrellF tancava l'acte "Ucraïna, quina pau?", organitzat pel CIDOB.
Recupera la conversa▶️https://t.co/8YZ9ClUk2g

[Nobel Women @NobelWomen]

On #WangariMaathaiDay we honored her legacy not in words, but in action. Together with Nobel Peace Laureates Leymah Gbowee, Oleksandra Matviichuk, and Shirin Ebadi, along with @MathaiWanjira, we planted trees, symbols of women's power to shape a peaceful world. @WangariMaathai

[Oleksandra Matviichuk @avalaina]

I visited Kenya for the first time. This country is distinguished by its incredible nature and friendly people. And also by the fact that it was here, 20 years ago, that the Nobel Women Initiative was launched. One of its founders, Kenyan Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which planted over 51 million trees in the country.

I also planted a tree in Karuru Forest, located right in the center of Nairobi. This nature reserve is part of the legacy of Wangari Maathai, who fought for its preservation. The forest is magnificent. It was touching to hear her daughter recall her mother's words that even if not her granddaughter, her daughter's daughter would walk in this forest. And even though she saw her struggle as so long, she did not give up. And in the end, she achieved her goal, and the forest was returned to the community.

Unfortunately, attempts to build expensive cottages on such a coveted piece of land have not stopped, so publicity is still needed to save Karuru Forest.

I had several public appearances, interesting meetings, and interviews. I talked about the human dimension of this bloody war unleashed by Russia. Putin is trying to convince the world that a great power has the right to invade a neighboring country, kill people there, destroy their identity, kidnap their children, and use terror to re-educate Ukrainians into Russians. This state of affairs is dangerous for everyone, without exception.

That is why these human stories resonate so strongly with Kenyan society. Unfortunately, little is known about them here. So Ukrainians in Kenya are making great efforts to change that.

Journalists asked me a lot about the criminal schemes that Russia has implemented in this country to deceive Kenyans into recruiting for the war. People are promised legal work, and then, without any training, they are forcibly sent to the front. The Russians use Kenyans as cannon fodder to hide Russian soldiers behind them. Their families in Kenya cannot get the bodies of the dead or the promised money. I really hope that the Kenyan government will conduct proper investigations and stop this human trafficking. After all, every government must protect its citizens.

And yes, we have a lot to learn from environmental activists in this beautiful country. So I really hope that I will have the opportunity to return again and again.

[Nadia Calviño @NadiaCalvino]

🇪🇺🇺🇦 Very good meeting with Oleksandra Matviichuk
@avalaina, Chair of #NobelPeacePrize winner Ukraine Center for Civil Liberties.

Ukraine's fight is our fight.

The @EIB Group will continue to #StandWithUkraine on the path to a fair and lasting peace, for as long as it takes.

[Center for Civil Liberties @ccl_ua]

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Support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights 💙

[Center for Civil Liberties @ccl_ua]

🕯️Today marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But not only in these four years has Russia been committing horrible crimes — its war against Ukraine has lasted for 12 years.

Today, we ask you to remember this — and to support Ukraine 👇 [1/8]

[Center for Civil Liberties @ccl_ua]

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