VISIT OF RESEARCHERS FROM THE I. F. KURAS INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL AND ETHNIC STUDIES OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF UKRAINE TO THE OFFICE OF THE POLISH OMBUDSMAN

On 7 November 2025, as part of the study visit within the Polish-Ukrainian project “The Impact of Political System Types on the Quality of Political Institutions: Polish and Ukrainian Experience and Perspectives”, a meeting was held between project participants and a representative of the Office of the Polish Ombudsman (Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich).

The meeting was attended by researchers from the I. F. Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – Deputy Director, Doctor of Political Sciences Halyna Zelenko, Senior Researchers Rostyslav Balaban and Nataliia Kononenko, and Senior Researcher Svitlana Sytnyk.

The Office’s representative, Mr. Matej Kruk, briefed the delegation on the key areas of the Polish Ombudsman’s work and emphasized that the institution’s activities focus on ensuring the effective implementation of the rule of law and fundamental human rights and freedoms. Particular attention is paid to the protection of minority rights, access to justice, and monitoring compliance with pre-trial investigation deadlines.

Mr. Kruk highlighted the Ombudsman’s active cooperation with civil society organizations in monitoring and responding to potential human rights violations. An important part of the institution’s work is also overseeing Poland’s compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and addressing cases of discrimination based on identity. These obligations are embedded in special legislation adopted after Poland joined the European Union.

During the Q&A session, participants discussed mechanisms for protecting the rights of Ukrainians in Poland, cooperation between the Polish Ombudsman and the European Ombudsman, and the specifics of the institution’s work before and after Poland’s accession to the EU.

The meeting became an important part of the study visit program and contributed to strengthening Polish-Ukrainian academic cooperation in the field of political institution research and human rights protection practices.