Dec. 12, 2015, 2 a.m.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs), who number more than 30,000 in Odesa region, are constantly facing a host of completely new legal needs and problems
An initiative is being developed in Odesa Oblast with the support of the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine and the Government of Japan to improve and strengthen the system of free legal aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The legal aid office for IDPs in Odesa, which has been operating since the end of September 2015, has been joined by offices in Kotovsk and Tatarbunary, which work closely with the justice system and local secondary legal aid centers.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs), who number more than 30,000 in Odesa region, constantly face a host of completely new legal needs and problems. The most urgent issues in citizens' appeals are those related to the recognition by the state of documents issued in the territory not controlled by Ukraine, receiving payments, compensation for damage (destruction of property, losses, physical injuries and wounds, death of relatives), restoration of documents, employment, violations of the right to work, etc. For more than two months of the reception center's operation in Odesa, more than 60 people have used the opportunity to receive free legal aid.
The Odesa legal reception center for IDPs has been joined by reception centers in Kotovsk and Tatarbunary, which work closely with the justice authorities and local secondary legal aid centers. Information about legal aid is distributed within the initiative of the Odesa organization of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, mainly in railway and bus stations, state administrations and local governments, employment centers, social assistance services, as well as in the offices of other organizations and institutions working with IDPs.
Internally displaced persons can solve their urgent legal issues by contacting the lawyers of the reception centers remotely via e-mail odesakvu@ukr.net or by phone, or by applying to the In addition to providing assistance in a stationary mode, on-site receptions are periodically held in places of compact residence of IDPs.
Secondary legal aid and legal support at the national and international level (in particular, the European Court of Human Rights, UN Special Procedures, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) are provided for applications identified as strategic. Legal aid is provided by specialists of the Odesa regional organization of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, engaged experts and representatives of the judiciary and secondary legal aid centers.
In December 2015, the initiative will launch two other important components of the work - an information and awareness campaign for IDPs and educational events for legal consultants and lawyers providing legal aid to internally displaced persons.
Primary legal aid (legal advice and preparation of appeals to the authorities) can be obtained by internally displaced persons
in Odesa: at the office of the Odesa regional organization of the NGO "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" at 65091, Odesa, 25 Sadykovska St.
Reception hours: Monday - Friday, from 11.00 to 18.00. Preliminary appointment by phone (048) 716-46-83. E-mail address : odesakvu@ukr.net
in Kotovsk: at the premises of the Kotovsk Local Center for Free Secondary Legal Aid at 194-a 50 Let Zhovtnia Str., Kotovsk, 66300.
Reception hours: Monday - Friday, from 11.00 to 15.00. Preliminary appointment by phone (04862) 3-07-34. E-mail address : odesakvu@ukr.net
in the city of Tatarbunary: at the premises of the Tatarbunary District Department of Justice at 48 V. Tura St., Tatarbunary, 68100.
Reception hours: Monday - Friday, from 11.00 to 15.00. Preliminary appointment by phone (04844) 3-37-74. E-mail address : odesakvu@ukr.net.
If you have any questions about the initiative, please contact Ihor Brynosh, Deputy Head of Odesa Regional Organization of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, at (048) 716-46-83.
"The initiative "Free Legal Aid to Internally Displaced Persons - a Guarantee of Equal Opportunities" is implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine (within the framework of the Project "Rapid Response to Social and Economic Problems of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine") and the Government of Japan.