On November 29-30, 2025, the Cultural Hub “Pivden” (South) in Lviv became the epicenter of international solidarity and strategic partnership. The forum “Human Rights in Times of Crisis” was held here, concluding not only with a profound dialogue but also with concrete organizational outcomes—the signing of a Memorandum on the establishment of the international coalition “United for Rights.” This event sent a powerful signal: in times of crisis, unity is the path to effective protection of fundamental freedoms.
Panel Discussion: Five Voices on Crises and Resilience
The heart of the forum was the panel discussion “Faces of Crisis: From Occupation to Migration,” where representatives of civil society from different countries shared unique experiences of resilience.
Amet Bekirov, Head of the NGO “AREKET” (Crimea), revealed the tragic situation of the Crimean Tatar people under occupation. “The right to identity is what they are systematically trying to take from us,” Bekirov noted. “But our unity, language, and memory remain acts of resistance.”
Manush Ovnanyan, President of the NGO “Support for Women and Children” (Armenia), highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the conflict for the Armenian people, emphasizing the right to safety. “When thousands lose their homes, our mission is not only to provide shelter but also to restore a sense of stability and dignity,” she said.
Alexei Frantskevich, Chairman of the Public Association “Belarusian Community of Ukraine,” spoke about the survival strategies of Belarusian civil society under severe repression. “The right to a voice is not just the ability to speak but also the ability to be heard. Even in the most difficult circumstances, we find ways to express our position,” Frantskevich emphasized.
Alla Sulima, Chairperson of the Board of the “MOSAIC Fund for Local Initiatives” (Poland), analyzed the large-scale challenge of supporting Ukrainian refugees. “Our task is to transform the right to protection from a legal norm into practical daily support: from housing and language to psychological assistance and labor market integration,” Sulima noted.
A special emphasis of the discussion was the speech by Viktoriia Vasylieva, a representative from Georgia, who expanded the conversation about crises to include the topics of inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities. She shared an inspiring vision for the future:
“We want an environment where the rights of every person are protected and opportunities are realized. Our mission is to promote independent living and integration of persons with disabilities, helping them develop skills for independent life and preparing them for the labor market.”
Vasylieva emphasized the values that unite all participants of the discussion: every person’s right to live with dignity, to participate in decision-making, and to create a society where helping others makes everyone better.
From Words to Joint Action: Signing of the Memorandum on the Establishment of the Coalition
The most important outcome of the forum was the practical translation of dialogue into an organizational form. Six organizations, represented by the speakers and partners, solemnly signed the Memorandum of Cooperation and Establishment of the International Civil Society Coalition “United for Rights.”
The coalition includes:
Public Organization “Center for Economic and Legal Development” (Ukraine)
Public Organization “Anika Association” (Georgia)
Public Organization “Support for Women and Children” NGO (Armenia)
Public Organization “MOSAIC Fund for Local Initiatives” (Poland)
Public Association “Belarusian Community of Ukraine”
Public Organization “AREKET” (Ukraine)
The goal of the coalition is to jointly promote the establishment and protection of the rule of law, democracy, and human rights in the participating countries and at the international level. Key tasks include:
Pooling resources and expertise for joint monitoring of violations
Developing and implementing joint human rights and educational initiatives
Raising public awareness about the role of the rule of law
Exchanging best practices to build the capacity of civil society
The coalition will operate based on the principles of equality, mutual trust, solidarity, and transparency.
Conclusions and Prospects: The Path to Systemic Change
During the concluding session and informal networking, participants identified the key takeaways of the forum:
Crises are systemic in nature, but responses to them can be coordinated and effective.
Solidarity across borders is not merely a moral duty but a practical tool for protection.
Inclusion and equality are the foundation of a strong society where the rights of all groups are protected.
From dialogue to institutional unity—this is the path that allows ideas to be transformed into lasting change.
The “United for Rights” coalition is already planning its first joint steps: regular coordination meetings, development of joint project proposals, and launching information campaigns. The forum in Lviv became a starting point for creating a powerful network capable of systematically influencing the protection of human rights in the region of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the NGO “Center for Economic and Legal Development” (CELD/CEPR) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation.
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