Portrait of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Politician · concept
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Human Rights

Wartime rights defender (strong)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy views human rights as inextricably linked to Ukrainian sovereignty and its path toward European integration.

Since the 2022 full-scale invasion, his statements and actions have heavily centered on documenting and punishing war crimes and atrocities committed by Russian forces, asserting that there will be no forgiveness or forgetting for these violations.

Domestically, Zelenskyy has addressed sensitive social issues, expressing support for reviewing civil partnerships for same-sex couples, while acknowledging constitutional barriers to same-sex marriage during martial law.

Context

Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to office promising an anti-establishment agenda focused on ending corruption, which is often considered a key area of human rights failure in transitional democracies.

His position on human rights has been dramatically shaped by the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine starting in 2022, elevating the protection of civilian life and the prosecution of war crimes to the forefront of his global platform.

His pre-war policies also touched upon language and cultural rights, showing a general inclination against banning artists for political opinions, though this stance has been complicated by security concerns since 2022.

Actions Taken

  1. Political Action
    Supported the suspension of 11 Ukrainian political parties with ties to Russia due to their stance regarding the conflict.
  2. Media Control
    Supported consolidating all TV news stations into a single 24-hour state-run broadcast during martial law, a move critics suggested risked censorship.
  3. Military Justice
    Signed a new law increasing the prison sentence for desertion to up to 12 years, though later legislation provided for decriminalization for first offenses upon return to duty.
  4. International Justice
    Visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and expressed the desire to see Vladimir Putin stand trial for war crimes, including the crime of aggression.
  5. Legislation
    Signed a bill banning religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Federation from operating in Ukraine, subjecting them to inspection and potential court-ordered bans.

Key Quotes

We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war... You will not have a quiet place on this earth – except for a grave.

Address to the Ukrainian people regarding Russian forces' actions March 1, 2022 — Vowing retribution against those committing atrocities during the Russian invasion.

Democracies are measured by how they ensure equal rights for all citizens. All people are free and equal in their dignity and rights.

Response to a petition on same-sex couple rights March 1, 2022 — Affirming the principle of equal rights for all citizens.

Family... consists of persons who live together, are connected by common life, have mutual rights and obligations.

Response to a petition on same-sex couple rights March 1, 2022 — Defining family broadly while discussing civil partnerships.

Related Positions

  • War Crimes Accountability His primary focus during the war has been ensuring that all alleged perpetrators face international justice mechanisms, specifically mentioning the ICC.
  • Freedom of Speech and Media His wartime support for media consolidation and the banning of pro-Russian parties suggests a view that national security can temporarily supersede certain absolute freedoms.
  • LGBTQ+ Rights He supported reviewing civil partnerships for same-sex couples but explicitly deferred action on same-sex marriage due to constitutional limitations during martial law.

Criticism

Critics of Zelenskyy's administration

Claimed that moves like centralizing authority away from oligarchs also served to centralize power within the presidency itself.

Critics of media reform proposal

Stated that the clause on criminal responsibility for distributing disinformation risked increasing media censorship in Ukraine.

Holos MP Inna Sovsun

Criticized the lack of detailed legal proposals following Zelenskyy's support for reviewing civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

Sources5

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.