Dear compatriots!

The establishment of long-awaited human rights institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights, whereto every person can appeal for the protection of his/her violated rights and wherein his/her appeals will be considered with a particular attention and desire to renew the violated rights, has launched changes in moral, psychological and legal climate of Ukraine. Henceforth an ordinary man will no longer feel alone while defending his/her rights, being convinced there is someone to share his/her pain and to whom he/she can complaint against a nonchalant official.

During a short period of its existence the institution has had to assert the rights of Chernobyl disaster victims, coal-miners, children-orphans, war veterans, disabled persons, pensioners, prisoners, to save our sailors taken hostages abroad and to liberate Ukrainian women sold to slavery.

You are holding in your hands a unique by its significance and contents document � the Report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights �On state of observation and protection of human rights and freedoms in Ukraine�. It contains detailed information about historical genesis of human rights on the Ukrainian territories, defines the place and role of the Commissioner in the national system of human rights protection as well as presents the results of a complex research of the state of compliance of civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights with the Constitution of Ukraine, legislation of Ukraine in force and international human rights standards.

The Report is a generalized act of response to mass violations of human rights, revealed by the Commissioner. It contains conclusions and recommendations related to the improvement of the legislation in force and the practice of its application with a view to safeguard human rights and freedoms in Ukraine.

I do hope that the Report of the Commissioner will give a new impetus to efficient actions of the representatives of all branches of power, mass media and the public in affirming principles of the rule of law and the respect for human rights in our country. The mentioned facts and conclusions should considerably influence legal conscience and public spirit, awaken the conscience of the nation.

With faith and hope for everyone who is not indifferent to human rights,

Nina Karpachova