On December 5, 2024, the International Human Rights Conference “Decade 2014–2024: Reclaiming Human Rights, Preserving Democracy” took place at the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center. Over one thousand government officials, representatives of international organizations, human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors from around the world attended.
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, traveled to Ukraine to join the event in person. Ombudsmen from Moldova, the President of the Italian Ombudsman Coordination, and delegates from Estonia and other countries were also present. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations—including the UN, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross, ENNHRI, and others—participated as well.
The conference was opened by Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The program spanned five parallel venues within the complex, with the main sessions held in the
Convention and Concert Hall (CCH) on the third floor. The formal opening featured an online address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “We consider it a crime not only that Russia holds so many of our people in captivity and abuses them, but also that too many around the world have not done everything possible to stop this crime, to bring people home, and to hold Russia accountable,” the President emphasized.
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Alain Berset, Secretary General, Council of Europe, Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine, Christoforos Politis, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ukraine, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The heart of the event was the installation titled “Pick Up the Handset,” designed to immerse participants in the experiences of Ukrainians affected by the war. Located on the third floor of Parkovy, each time a visitor lifted the handset, they heard a real voice—from captivity, occupied territory, the front lines, or beneath rubble—bringing the realities of war to life. Surrounding panels showcased photographs and testimonies of those whose lives have been forever changed by the conflict.
A key panel discussion—“Ukrainians in Russian Captivity: Search and Return Home”—was moderated by Aliona Luniova, Advocacy Director at the ZMINA Human Rights Center, in the
Park Hall Event Space. Panelists included:
- Maksym Butkevich, Ukrainian human rights defender, ZMINA co-founder, journalist, civic activist, and former captive.
- Noël Calhoun, Deputy Head, UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
- Yevheniia Kravchuk, Member of Parliament, Permanent Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
- Yurii Kovbasa, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights within the security and defense sector.
They shared emotional testimonies from former captives and discussed mechanisms for their safe return.
Additional panel sessions were held in technologically equipped
conference rooms adjacent to the CCH and the expo area. Topics included “Enhancing the Implementation of NPM Recommendations During Wartime” and “Protecting Information Rights Under Conditions of War: Challenges and Prospects.”
Multiple rooms ranging from 40 to 90 m² allowed participants to move freely and attend each discussion thanks to the complex’s unique layout.
Another key topic of the conference was the rights of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. This was addressed during the panel “War for Identity: A Decade of Suffering and Resilience of Ukrainian Children.”
Given the event’s scope, the organizers also allocated the
Small Exhibition Hall for part of the program so that guests could move easily between sessions and not miss any important discussions.
Speakers explored the deportation of Ukrainian children, their militarization, and exploitation for propaganda. Valeriia Sydorova—a child who endured forced displacement—shared her incredible story of return.
The conference served as a vital platform to address urgent challenges—returning captives, protecting children’s rights, and strengthening civil-state cooperation.
The event was organized by the Office of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. It was held with support from the UNDP-implemented “Transformative Recovery for the Safety of People in Ukraine” project, funded by the Government of Japan.
Parkovy team extends its gratitude for choosing our venue and for organizing such a large-scale, effective, and impactful event.
