RESPECT FOR LANDOWNERS’ RIGHTS

In his opening remarks, Viktor Tarasov, Executive Director of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, emphasized that in the context of constant changes in land legislation, it is necessary to conduct extensive information and explanatory work, both among ordinary landowners and among representatives of agricultural enterprises and farms. To do this, in his opinion, it is necessary to combine the efforts of public organizations, authorities and local governments, the media and interested citizens.

Igor Puzan, head of the

department of mass media and public relations of the Main Department of the State Land Committee in Chernihiv region, spoke directly about the legal regulation of land relations, the main problems of land use in the region, and the algorithm of citizens’ actions in certain cases. He reminded everyone present of the latest changes in the legislation regulating land relations, in particular, he focused in detail on the amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Land Lease”.

Responding to questions from seminar participants, Mr. Puzan commented that after the expected lifting of the moratorium on the purchase and sale of agricultural land from 2012, one should not expect activity in the land sector, in particular in the Chernihiv region. This is explained by the low quality of local soils. However, the issue of legalizing the use of land plots is important. He urges citizens to properly draw up documents for the land they use as soon as possible, so as not to lose their rights to it later.

Head of the Information Support and Public Relations Department of the Chernihiv Regional Council Oleksandr Solomakha informed about the possibilities of PR technologies in protecting the property rights of citizens. According to him, heads of peasant farms often do not take into account that thanks to the press one can inform about their activities and, if necessary, protect their rights. He gave examples of establishing cooperation with the media and assured that as the head of the relevant department of the regional council he is ready to provide professional assistance to everyone.

The seminar participants shared their own experience in solving land use problems and concluded that it is necessary to unite the efforts of all stakeholders to improve domestic land legislation.

The project is implemented with the support of the Civil Society Development project, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine and financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark during 2009-2012.