The period reviewed by experts spans from September 2024 to August 2025 for Chapter 23 and includes earlier data up to August 2025 for Chapter 24. One of the key achievements during this period was the approval of the Rule of Law Roadmap, whose recommendations will serve as guidance for opening negotiations under Cluster 1. The roadmap is the result of close cooperation between state authorities, civil society representatives, and international experts.
The Shadow Report highlights not only Ukraine’s progress but also the challenges and shortcomings in implementing European standards in areas such as the rule of law (courts, prosecution, legal profession, legal education), the fight against corruption and organised crime, the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as visa policy, migration and related fields.
Experts from the participating civil society organisations (CSOs) have formulated over 500 recommendations, ranging from legislative amendments to institutional reforms. These are designed to help public authorities address current challenges, secure sustainable results and, together with international partners, set clear reform priorities.
“After preparing a pilot Shadow Report for the European Commission last year, this year ZMINA, together with a coalition of civil society organisations led by the Agency for Legislative Initiatives, once again took part in its drafting. Moreover, we managed to expand the scope of our work — in addition to Chapter 23, this time we also worked on Chapter 24. Overall, our part of the report covers a much wider range of human rights issues than the European Commission Enlargement Report. We hope that this information will serve as an important supplement and guide in the further process of reforming the country on its path towards the European community. The Roadmaps approved in May confirm this, although there is still much work to be done. In the Shadow Report, we once again emphasise that in the process of European integration, it is important to take into account the protection of persons affected by Russian aggression,” said Tetiana Pechonchyk, Head of the Board of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.
The Human Rights Centre ZMINA, in partnership with the Agency for Legislative Initiatives (ALI), Transparency International Ukraine, Tomorrow’s Lawyer, Europe Without Barriers, the Ukrainian Bar Association, and European Pravda, with the support of the EU Project Pravo-Justice, has released a Shadow Report complementing the European Commission’s 2024 Report on Ukraine.
