LEGAL AID FOR CONVICTS

During the month, convicts are introduced to changes in civil, criminal, and penal legislation. A series of lectures on various areas of law is held, and convicts are admitted on legal issues. Convicts are provided with primary and secondary legal assistance.

They are provided with information on the norms of the Constitution of Ukraine concerning guarantees of fundamental rights of citizens, provisions of civil, housing, family and marriage legislation, which are most necessary for convicts to self-protect their rights and legitimate interests. The final stage of the month will be the holding of the intellectual game “Know Your Rights and Be Able to Protect Them” on June 28, 2010.

In May 2010, in order to implement the tasks of the monthly

legal knowledge, the Chernihiv women’s colony was visited by lawyers from public organizations in Chernihiv, members of the Chernihiv Regional Bar Association.

In particular, representatives of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights Viktor Tarasov and Nataliya Piddubna, a lawyer of the Chernihiv Public Non-Governmental Organization “M’ART” Roman Zhabkovsky, and director of the Chernihiv Women’s Human Rights Center Valentina Badyr answered questions from convicted women regarding the conclusion of lifelong maintenance (care) contracts and the conditions for terminating such contracts, and also spoke about the procedure and conditions for the privatization of housing and its rental.

Attorney of the Chernihiv Regional Bar Association Serhiy Vodolagin held talks with convicted women about the procedure for inviting and appointing a defense attorney as a participant in the trial, about his rights and obligations, and also answered the questions of the convicted women about the cases in which the participation of a defense attorney is mandatory during the inquiry, pre-trial investigation, and consideration of the case.

According to human rights activists, legal assistance to convicts serving sentences in penitentiary institutions of the Chernihiv region is extremely necessary, because it contributes to

the formation of a legal culture in them, the development of the ability to use legal tools in practical activities, and will provide them with legal protection after release.

Valentina Badyra,

Director of the Chernihiv Women’s Human Rights Center