The principle of separation of powers and an independent judiciary are basic elements of a democratic state. Their proper functioning is indispensable to personal security, as well as to stable social and economic development. Ukraine has a long way to go yet in fighting lack of transparency, poor accountability and corruption in the public sector. Civil society initiatives play an important role in educating, demanding and monitoring the respect for human rights.

Already Ukraine has achieved much in reforming a number of areas:

• judges now experience more independence;
• non-custodial sentencing has been more widely introduced;
• the death penalty has been abolished;
• the prison population has decreased by more than 20 % over 15 years.

Together with the project partners, SDC works in the following areas:

• SDC aims to strengthen the capacity of governmental institutions to implement reform projects and support the independent status of the judiciary;
• SDC supports new model practices in the penitentiary sector;
• SDC encourages civil society initiatives that aim to protect the legitimate interests of vulnerable social groups and individuals.

Projects at a glance (click on project for further information):

• Support for Justice Reform in Ukraine
• Bila Tserkva –Centre of Competence for Reform Issues in the Penitentiary System of Ukraine
• Police Strategies for Decreasing Juvenile Crime
• Support for Reform of Pre- Trial Detention
• Women and Mothers with Children in Prison
• Support for Reform of the Criminal Justice System: Awareness Raising for the Introduction of Mediation Techniques in Law Enforcement