Meeting with a Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
Congress#Main events
An open dialogue with Olha Altunina on protecting the rights of citizens affected by the armed aggression against Ukraine
Practical details
Date and time: 24 June 2025, 11:00
Venue: Hotel Mercure Roma West
Format: open dialogue
At the meeting, participants were able to
- learn about the mandate of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman)
- ask questions about protecting the rights of Ukrainian citizens
- report the problems Ukrainians face in Italy
- discuss identity documents, social protection, education and other current issues
- find out about the Register of Damage
The Register of Damage: why it matters to everyone
Particular attention was paid to recording losses and filing claims with the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine. Participants stressed that entering one’s details in the Register correctly and on time is a crucial step for every Ukrainian who has suffered material or non-material harm, lost property or been injured. It is not just a legal formality: it is the only official international instrument that will, in the future, secure fair reparations and compensation and help restore justice at a global level. The Ukrainian state urges everyone not to delay submitting their claims.
The National Congress’s participation
CNAUI
The meeting was attended by Lara Levchun, President of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI). Lara Levchun has 20 years of experience working on disability issues in Italy.
In the early days of the platform from which the Congress grew, the Coordination Centre, Lara Levchun organised training for immigration advisers. Since 2023 the group of Ukrainian advisers has provided information to some 10,000 people. The Congress’s Facebook group has more than 22,000 members.
Advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities is an ongoing part of the Congress’s work.
Recognition of disability
An important issue was raised at the meeting: several EU countries, including Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, already recognise disability status established in Ukraine. Italy currently does not.
The Congress has submitted a petition to the Senate of the Italian Republic, which was announced on 15 December 2025 (sitting No. 369).
Short title: Urgent measures to protect children with disabilities who are war refugees, asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection.
The issue was also raised at the meeting in Rome.
Step-by-step guidance is available on the Congress website.
The Congress’s proposals
- To hold an online meeting on the rights of people with disabilities together with the Commissioner’s office, planned for October with the participation of a Congress partner, the All-Ukrainian NGO “Union of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine”.
- To create a digital platform where anyone can enter their region of Italy and receive personalised step-by-step guidance.
Official representative in Italy
In Italy, the Commissioner’s adviser is Oles Horodetskyi.
He has worked with Ukrainians for many years and is highly respected in the community (his contact details are available on the Commissioner’s website).
| Italian Republic Oleksandr Horodetskyi +39 329 092 4284 Oleksandr.Horodetskyy@ombudsman.gov.ua ohorodetskyy@yahoo.it |
How to submit a complaint
The Commissioner considers complaints about violations of Ukrainians’ rights.
Send a formal complaint by email to:
hotline@ombudsman.gov.ua
Be sure to include
- Surname, first name and patronymic
- Email address
- Phone number
- A description of the situation
Our State stands by you — all you need to do is submit a complaint.
P.S. If you need information materials on the recognition of disability, you are welcome to join the WhatsApp group “ІНВАЛІДНІСТЬ” (Disability)
