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Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026

502

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN

RIGHTS IN THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: EXPERIENCE OF

IMPLEMENTATION IN THE LAW AND ORDER OF UKRAINE

SERHII KULYK

serhii_kulyk@edu-iosa.org

PhD in Law, is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of International and European Law,

State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” (Kyiv, Ukraine). His academic interests focus on

international law, European Union law, and contemporary issues of legal integration

VOLODYMYR GAVRYLENKO

gavrylenko.v@ukr.net

PhD in Law, is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of International and European Law,

State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” (Kyiv, Ukraine). His research activities are concentrated

on European law, international legal regulation, and the development of modern legal systems

MARYNA ANISIMOVA

anis_m@ukr.net

PhD in Law, PhD in History, is an Associate Professor at the Department of International Law and

Law of the European Union, State Tax University (Irpin, Ukraine). Her scholarly interests include

international law, EU law, legal history, and interdisciplinary approaches to legal research.

IVAN HAFYCH

ivan.gafych@gmail.com

PhD in Law, is an Assistant at the Department of Human Rights and Legal Methodology, Yaroslav

Mudryi National Law University (Kharkiv, Ukraine). His research focuses on human rights

protection, legal methodology, and theoretical issues of modern jurisprudence

SERGII KUZMYCH

kuzmich_sergiy@ukr.net

PhD Student at the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management (Kyiv, Ukraine). His

academic interests include public law, legal regulation of public administration, and contemporary

challenges in legal practice and governance.

Abstract

Policing in Ukraine must comply with international legal standards to protect human rights,

which is a key requirement of the global community and a necessary condition for European

integration. At the same time, the practical implementation of these standards remains

problematic due to legislative gaps, personnel difficulties, and insufficient control

mechanisms, which require further scientific analysis and improvement of law enforcement

practice. The study uses methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, dialectics,

analogy, abstraction, and generalization. The aim of the research is to analyze human rights

protection standards in the activities of law enforcement agencies, to assess their

implementation in Ukraine, and to develop recommendations for improving national legislation

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

503

and practice of police agencies. Significant progress in bringing Ukrainian law enforcement in

line with international legal norms has been made, but persistent challenges require

continuous adaptation and policy improvement. Strengthening institutional mechanisms,

enhancing public scrutiny and promoting international cooperation will be crucial to ensure

sustainable compliance with human rights standards.

Keywords

Human rights; institutional mechanisms; policy adaptation; public oversight; law.

Resumo

A atividade policial na Ucrânia deve respeitar as normas jurídicas internacionais de proteção

dos direitos humanos, o que constitui um requisito fundamental da comunidade internacional

e uma condição necessária para a integração europeia. Ao mesmo tempo, a aplicação prática

dessas normas continua a ser problemática devido a lacunas legislativas, dificuldades de

pessoal e mecanismos de controlo insuficientes, o que exige uma análise científica mais

aprofundada e a melhoria das práticas das forças policiais. O estudo recorre a métodos de

análise, síntese, indução, dedução, dialética, analogia, abstração e generalização. O objetivo

da investigação é analisar as normas de proteção dos direitos humanos nas atividades das

agências de aplicação da lei, avaliar a sua implementação na Ucrânia e desenvolver

recomendações para melhorar a legislação nacional e a prática das agências policiais. Foram

alcançados progressos significativos na harmonização da aplicação da lei ucraniana com as

normas jurídicas internacionais, mas os desafios persistentes exigem uma adaptação contínua

e a melhoria das políticas. O reforço dos mecanismos institucionais, o aumento do escrutínio

público e a promoção da cooperação internacional serão cruciais para garantir o cumprimento

sustentável das normas de direitos humanos.

Palavras-chave

Direitos humanos; mecanismos institucionais; adaptação de políticas; supervisão pública;

direito.

How to cite this article

Kulyk, Serhii, Gavrylenko,Volodymyr Anisimova, Maryna Hafych, Ivan & Kuzmych, Sergii (2026).

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law Enforcement:

Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine. Janus.net, e-journal of international

relations, VOL. 17, Nº. 1, May 2026, pp. 502-518. https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.17.1.25

Article submitted on 20 June 2025 and accepted on 11 November 2025.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

504

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT:

EXPERIENCE OF IMPLEMENTATION IN THE LAW AND ORDER OF

UKRAINE

SERHII KULYK

VOLODYMYR GAVRYLENKO

MARYNA ANISIMOVA

IVAN HAFYCH

SERGII KUZMYCH

Introduction

The National Police of Ukraine is committed to promoting the implementation of

international treaties ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and protecting human

rights. Rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the laws and Constitution of the country.

Since one of the legal foundations of the police are international treaties of Ukraine, the

consent to which was granted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, such activities must

comply with international legal standards given the aspect of guaranteeing the

observance of freedoms and human rights outlined in those treaties.

The President of Ukraine declares the need to take measures to ensure the stable

functioning of democratic institutions and the establishment of the rule of law in order to

ensure the proper implementation of Ukraine’s obligations and commitments arising from

its membership in the Council of Europe, to achieve compliance with the political

component of the Copenhagen criteria for membership in the European Union. The

measures are aimed at bringing the legal framework of law enforcement agencies closer

to European standards and strengthening democratic control in this area. This indicates

the relevance of the issue chosen for analysis, which requires a scientific and theoretical

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

505

solution. This solution is necessary for the practical improvement of police activities

according to Ukraine's international obligations, in particular in the area of ensuring

respect for rights and freedoms.

At the same time, the growth of transnational organized crime, high rates of global

migration, disagreements in police training programs and human rights protection during

law enforcement operations require the introduction of uniform international standards

in the activities of these agencies. A modern approach to combating the problems of

transnational organized crime as an important international component of preventing the

introduction of destructive threats to global society is the introduction of international

legal standards of policing at the national level. These standards are a concentrated

reflection of generally recognized international law enforcement practice, in particular in

the area of ensuring the observance of individual rights and liberties by the relevant

police agencies.

Numerous international legal instruments, in particular the European Convention on

Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Code of

Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, and others, reflect the fundamental need of the

world community to ensure the protection of individual rights in law enforcement.

Application of international legal standards to the activities of the National Police is

becoming increasingly important in the light of Ukraine’s European integration path and

reform of police authorities. (Medvedenko & Medvedenko, 2023).

The current legislative initiatives and reforms, several problems, including legislative

gaps, insufficient personnel training, and the lack of effective systems for monitoring and

prosecuting law enforcement agencies for human rights violations, complicate Ukraine’s

implementation of global standards in the area of law enforcement. This requires a

thorough scientific study of the existing international norms, an assessment of their

application in the judicial framework of Ukraine and the development of proposals for

improving internal law enforcement procedures.

Several scholars have explored the issue of international legal standards of law

enforcement Gavrylenko (2022) examines introduction of global law reforms into the

national law enforcement system of Ukraine, focusing on the adaptation of European and

world practices taking into account national characteristics, history and culture of the

country. It offers methods of effective borrowing of international experience to improve

the Ukrainian law enforcement system. Moskalyuk and Sloma (2022) explore

international legal standards for the protection of human rights and freedoms, their

impact on the Constitution of Ukraine and other normative legal acts. Analyzes the

system of international legal acts, in particular the International Bill of Human Rights,

agreements on crime prevention, conventions for the protection of vulnerable groups and

against abuse by the state, as well as documents of international conferences on human

rights (Lytvyn et al., 2022). Lezhnin (2022) analyzes global human rights standards and

its influence on national legislation. Particular attention is paid to the role of the Security

Service of Ukraine in ensuring human rights during martial law. Voloshchuk (2024)

considers international standards of law enforcement, their main characteristics, and

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

506

their significance for the harmonization of national legislation. Magnovsky and

Kosarevska (2023) investigated international standards of human rights in law

enforcement activities of the National Police of Ukraine, analyzing their impact on police

reforms and transformations in the context of contemporary challenges. They studied the

effectiveness of applying these standards to increase the effectiveness of policing and

improve mechanisms for ensuring human rights.

Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union increase the relevance of compliance

with international and European human rights standards in the activities of law

enforcement agencies. The Copenhagen criteria, which define the political preconditions

for EU membership, clearly require stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule

of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities. In this context, the

effectiveness of policing and the extent to which law enforcement agencies comply with

international legal standards for the protection of human rights become not only a

domestic legal issue, but also a strategic factor in Ukraine's European integration process.

Therefore, the harmonisation of national law enforcement practice with European legal

standards, in particular those developed within the Council of Europe and the European

Union, is a prerequisite for Ukraine's progress towards EU membership. This includes

providing effective safeguards against abuse of power, strengthening mechanisms of

public control and aligning police activities with the jurisprudence of the European Court

of Human Rights. Thus, the study of international legal standards for the protection of

human rights in law enforcement is of particular importance in the context of Ukraine's

obligations arising from its status as an EU candidate and the broader process of

approximation of its legislation to the EU acquis.

Materials and Methods

The study of foreign legal standards for the prevention of human rights violations in the

field of legal activities and their implementation in the legal order of Ukraine is based on

a systematic approach that involves the use of a set of general scientific and special legal

approaches. The use of these methods made it possible to conduct a thorough analysis

of legal norms, international standards, and the practice of their application in Ukraine

and the world, as well as to formulate appropriate conclusions and recommendations for

their improvement.

One of the core methods used in the study is the method of analysis, which is used to

study international legal documents regulating the standards of human rights protection

in the field of law enforcement, in particular, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on

Human Rights, the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, the UN Convention

against Torture, etc. Also, this method was used in the study of the national legislation

of Ukraine, including the Constitution of Ukraine, laws regulating the activities of law

enforcement agencies, and regulations that enshrine international standards for the

protection of human rights.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

507

To establish the relationship between international standards and their implementation

in the Ukrainian law and order, the synthesis method was used. As a result of the study,

the author identifies the peculiarities of implementation of various standards in the

operation of national law enforcement agencies, the problems of their practical

application, and possible ways to improve the implementation process. Along with the

induction method, the deduction method was used, which contributed to the formulation

of specific recommendations for improving legislative regulation and law enforcement

practice in Ukraine. Studying the general principles of international law and their

application in different countries, it was possible to determine directions for improving

law enforcement in Ukraine.

The study was based on the dialectical method, which allowed to consider the process of

realization of international legal standards in dynamics, taking into account historical

background, current state and development prospects. The author uses the analytical

method to assess the effectiveness of implementation of global standards in Ukraine. A

comparative analysis of research papers, regulations and law enforcement practice was

conducted, which allowed the author to identify gaps in national legislation and to identify

problems in the realization of human rights in law enforcement.

By using the method of abstraction, the author helped to identify the main conceptual

foundations of international legal protection of personal freedoms, making this possible

to highlight the key aspects which are important for reforming law enforcement in

Ukraine. The data obtained were used as a basis for the generalization method, which

allowed the author to formulate final conclusions on the effectiveness of the

implementation of global legal standards in law enforcement in Ukraine and to propose

recommendations for improving the legal framework and law enforcement practice. The

complex use of these methods allowed to provide in-depth research of problems, a

systematic analysis of international and national legal norms, an assessment of the

practice of their application and the development of scientifically grounded conclusions

and proposals for improving the protection of human rights in the law enforcement sphere

of Ukraine.

Results

Human freedoms and rights are the main achievements of modern society. Ukraine

became a subject of international law only on August 24, 1991, when it declared its

independence. The parliament of Ukraine confirmed its commitment to universal values

and universally recognized principles of international law, having the opportunity to

independently determine its political priorities and directions of its state-building. This is

evidenced by the signing and ratification of several international legal instruments

approved by the UN General Assembly.

As a result of its European decision, Ukraine begins the process of transformation. It

shares the fundamental concepts and principles of the European Social Charter and the

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

508

and its future growth is based on the interests of people and the desire to live and create

in harmony with society, the environment and its values (Gavrylenko, 2024a).

Ukraine has been involved in the creation of international human rights standards (IHRC)

since 1991 and is working on their implementation in the activities of civil servants. This

policy is consistent with Article 18 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which states that the

foreign policy of Ukraine state is aimed at protecting national interests and security by

maintaining friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with members of the

international community by generally recognized norms and principles of the

international community. Law. In addition, Articles 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 of the Basic Law

support the idea of observing international norms regarding human rights and freedoms

(Svensson-McCarthy, 2021).

Given the complex political and legal circumstances in Ukraine, the relevant international

legal norms differ in that there is a particularly urgent need for their deeper theoretical

and scientific understanding. The analysis also focuses on the academic justification and

implementation of global legal standards of police activity in ensuring the observance of

human freedoms and rights into domestic legislation, for their more objective and

thorough study, and, therefore, to identify ways of integration into the international and

European space (Gavrylenko, 2022).

The international police cooperation is being established, expanded and strengthened on

condition that national legislation, in particular departmental regulations of the Ministry

of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, is adjusted to international legal acts. In its domestic and

international cooperation, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is governed by the key

legal instruments that regulate the protection of rights and freedoms, establish generally

recognized standards of behavior for officials, and determine international strategies for

combating crime. According to this author, one of the ways to interact with the activities

of the police and promote integration in fulfilling the requirements of adapting national

legislation to relevant international standards is to bring the normative legal acts of the

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine into compliance with the requirements of

international legal documents (Eilstrup-Sangiovanni & Sharman, 2021).

Law enforcement agencies (police) should be based on the rule of law, demilitarization,

decentralization, transparency, accountability, and close cooperation with the public and

local communities (the concept of “community policing”), taking into account the

standards adopted by many prominent European nations. Establishing certain significant

legal boundaries of the police, in particular in the field of ensuring the observance of

human rights and freedoms, which gives stability and certainty to the social relations

regulated by law, the activities of the police are determined by legal principles as

integrating factors of the proper exercise of the discretionary powers of a policeman with

the prohibition of arbitrariness in such activities (Moskalyuk & Sloma, 2022).

Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950, Code

of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials of 1979, Resolution No. 690 of 1979 of the

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe "Declaration on Police," Convention

against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

509

and the Basic Principles of the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials

of 1990 are international documents, the legal norms of which are the core of the National

Police’s activities. The above-mentioned international laws are a set of interrelated global,

regional, and especially European norms that establish uniform police actions, in

particular when it comes to ensuring the observance of human rights and freedoms in

Ukraine (Sopilko & Tokarieva, 2023).

International human rights rules apply to police in every country on the planet. The

United Nations has adopted these standards, which represent common ideals and beliefs.

The approach to compliance with standards in some situations will be significantly

different from that used in governments that do not face such problems since policing in

countries with limited financial and other resources is always associated with certain

problems (Gusarov & Popov, 2020). International standards, on the other hand, are

universal and serve as a criterion for assessing the extent to which government

structures in different countries of the world respect human rights (Lezhnin, 2022).

The lack of proper financial and other resources may be one of the factors determining

the causes, conditions, and factors of the formation of deviant manifestations in the

behavior of a police officer. Delinquent behavior, or deviant behavior, is a system of

actions and actions of people or social groups that contradict social norms or socially

recognized patterns and standards of behavior. In extreme manifestations, deviant

behavior is punishable by law. The seriousness of offenses and the expression of their

antisocial nature distinguish delinquent behavior from criminal behavior (Geovani et al.,

2021).

Consequently, financial resources, as well as material and technical assistance are related

to the effectiveness of the police. Low funding and lack of logistical support for such

measures pose a threat to law and order in the state and, as a result, the effective

implementation of human rights and freedoms. Appropriate financial, material, and

technical assistance to the bodies and units of the National Police of Ukraine is a direct

prerequisite for the integrated and successful activities of the police. Moreover, all police

actions are assessed using international legal standards, especially when it comes to

ensuring the observance of freedoms and human rights (Magnovsky & Kosarevska,

2023).

The application of international criteria for assessing the activities of the police does not

mean the creation of a unified model for this type of law enforcement activity, since, as

noted earlier, the conditions of the transition period of Ukraine and society, national

traditions, and mentality should be taken into account. At the same time, it should be

emphasized that in today's world, the concern for personal freedom has gone far beyond

the borders of a single state, and there is a need to create universal standards of

international law that are also considered essential rights. They are reflected in several

important international legal acts that have established universal standards of individual

liberties and interests and defined the boundaries beyond which the state cannot go (Qizi

et al., 2024).

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

510

As a result, the world community began to regulate human rights, except for one state.

This establishes a mechanism by which human rights, which have received legal

recognition in numerous international legal documents and have turned into universal

international standards, determine the need for their appropriate provision by the

relevant public authorities, in particular the bodies and units of the National Police of

Ukraine. This not only establishes how international legal standards of police activities

are implemented in national legislation but also obliges all police officers to strictly comply

with them (Voloshchuk, 2024; Kotsur et al., 2023).

Ukraine’s move towards European Union membership requires a systemic transformation

of law enforcement agencies in line with European policing standards. These standards

are based not only on universal international human rights instruments, but also on the

EU legal and policy framework, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the

European Union and the principles developed in the framework of EU justice and home

affairs cooperation. In the context of EU accession, international legal standards for law

enforcement function as benchmarks for assessing institutional readiness, the legality of

police practices and the effectiveness of mechanisms for protecting individual rights.

Compliance with these standards is subject to ongoing monitoring as part of the EU

integration process, in particular in areas related to the independence and accountability

of law enforcement agencies, prevention of ill-treatment, proportionate use of force and

access to effective remedies for victims of rights violations..

Given the peculiarities of police operations, it is important to note that the UN General

Assembly adopted the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (Resolution 34/169)

on 17 December 1979 to guide them in the appropriate direction. This code establishes

the legal status of the police, its relationship with society, and the basic requirements for

its formation and activities in a democratic society. It also requires consideration of

generally accepted and reflected in universal international documents’ legal standards of

human rights and freedoms. In 1998 (Pol. 30/04/98), Amnesty International, in

cooperation with law enforcement personnel and international experts, drafted the Ten

Standards of Good Conduct for Law Enforcement Agencies, which are grounded in UN

standards in the areas of human rights, criminal justice and law enforcement. Amnesty

International’s “Ten Standards of Good Conduct for Law Enforcement Agencies” is a set

of universally recognized basic requirements for police activities, in particular, to promote

respect for human freedoms and rights (McCorquodale & Nolan, 2021).

Significantly, one of the first of the “Ten Standards of Good Human Rights Practices for

Law Enforcement Agencies” states that all persons have the right to be protected equally

by the law, without discrimination, including threats and acts of violence. Women,

children, elderly people, refugees, displaced persons and minorities are among the

demographic categories that should be given special attention (Gavrylenko, 2024b).

The second rule is to respect and care for all victims of crime while ensuring their privacy

and safety. The third rule is to avoid the use of force unless it is necessary and only to a

minimum. The fourth rule is to refrain from using force against peaceful but illegal

gatherings. The least amount of force is required when forcefully dispersing assemblies.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

511

Lethal force (the fifth standard) should be applied only when it is required to protect the

life of the individual or the lives of others.

The sixth need relates to arrests, which have to be carried out on legal grounds and with

proper justification. In this case, it is crucial to make sure that all prisoners have the

opportunity to contact their loved ones and a lawyer as soon as possible after arrest, in

addition to receiving any necessary medical care (standard seventh). When all prisoners

are treated humanely, the eighth standard becomes clear. Torture and other ill-treatment

should never be applied, supported, or tolerated. Orders to perform these actions are not

binding.

Standards do not cover up extrajudicial executions or "disappearances." Orders for such

actions are not enforceable (ninth standard). It emphasizes that any abuse of this

fundamental principle should be disclosed to the prosecutor's office and management.

These international norms are institutional international legal standards for the activities

of the police and in the process of introducing international experience are the basis for

the formation of such a principle of the activities of bodies and units of the National Police

of Ukraine as the observance of human rights and freedoms (Article 7 of the Law of

Ukraine "On the National Police"). This conclusion grounded in the findings of the logical-

legal method of the content of the provisions of the "Ten Standards of Correct Behavior

of Law Enforcement Agencies on Human Rights." Consequently, Ukraine fulfills its

international obligations at the domestic level, due to its membership in the relevant

international organizations (Antoshkina et al., 2023; Maruf, 2021).

At the same time, bringing national legislation to the norms of international law occurs

with the concept of obligations erga omnes ("applicable to all"). Fundamental relations

between the state and the world community as a group of nations are based on general

rules of law and the need for protection of the main public interests (Rakipova et al.,

2023). The International Court of Justice has stressed again and again that nations have

a broad responsibility related to the common interests of the community, which qualifies

as an obligation (albeit out of contract) to the community as a whole. The Community

considers the infringement of erga omnes commitments as an international crime. These

are commitments that directly derive from the defense of individual rights (Voitsikhovsky

& Zherebko, 2023).

In this context, it is crucial to remember the national implementation of international

legal norms on police activities should be aimed at real (actual) and uncompromising

defense of human freedoms and rights. They are understood as unified principles and

rules of conduct of law enforcement, which are imperative, objectified in international

legal acts and decisions of international human rights institutions, and provided (in case

of their violation) with international legal sanctions. This is grounded in the findings of

the analysis on understanding and specific differentiation of international legal standards

of law enforcement. Two main components of international standards for law

enforcement should be considered as a whole: professional standards for personnel and

law enforcement officials, mainly for professional training; standards of protection and

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 17, Nº. 1

May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

512

protection of human rights and freedoms, maintenance of law and order and legality

(Lutsenko & Gurtova, 2021).

They are the paradigm of the modern police, the basis for further development and

improvement of the legal basis for the functioning of bodies and units of the National

Police of Ukraine, and the international criterion for the legal assessment of such

activities. Significantly accumulated two-vector theoretical and legal characteristic of

international legal standards of law enforcement agencies is their understanding as

unified principles and rules of imperative nature, formally fixed in international legal

documents, and in case of their violation - the possibility of applying international

sanctions. Violation of erga omnes obligations will be taken into account by the

international community as a legal basis for the possibility of applying international

sanctions.

Discussion

The current challenges faced by Ukraine's justice system require effective changes and

the implementation of international human rights standards in all aspects of law

enforcement. An important component of upholding compliance to the principle of law

and protecting human rights and freedoms is improving the level of professional training

of police officers. Today, both strengthening the rule of law and implementing changes

in the law enforcement sector depend on legal education, which is recognized by the

Ukrainian Constitution and determined by the President to be a state policy priority. From

the perspective of European integration, the implementation of international human

rights standards in law enforcement should be understood as a form of legal

conditionality. The EU evaluates candidate states on the basis of formal transposition of

legal norms and their effective application in practice. Particular emphasis is placed on

police training, internal accountability mechanisms and independent oversight structures

capable of preventing systemic human rights violations.

The experience of EU member states demonstrates that sustainable compliance with

European policing standards requires a combination of legislative harmonisation,

institutional capacity building, and the development of a human rights-based professional

culture in law enforcement agencies. For Ukraine, this means that the reforms of the

National Police should be aimed not only at formal alignment with EU standards but at

ensuring their practical effectiveness in a context of democratic governance and public

trust.

The key step in bringing the Ukrainian educational system closer to the educational and

scientific landscape of Europe is the expansion of the educational network of the Ministry

of Internal Affairs. It is crucial to consider how highly developed countries such as Poland,

Germany, and the United States have shaped police training in light of Ukraine’s

membership in the European Union. For example, in Poland, much attention is paid to

human rights training programs and the de-escalation of conflict situations. In Germany,

there are specialized educational institutions where police officers are trained on how to

act in a multicultural environment, while in the United States initiatives have been

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Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

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introduced to psychologically train law enforcement personnel and help them work with

vulnerable populations (Gavrylenko, 2024c).

Modernization of educational programs, compliance with world standards, advanced

training of teaching staff, and introduction of new teaching methods are necessary to

ensure a professional level of training for security forces. Creating an effective system of

continuous professional development of police officers should be a key component of the

reform, as it will allow them to successfully solve modern problems, in particular the

growth of terrorism, transnational crime, and cybercrime. The Cyber Police, for example,

has been established in Ukraine in recent years and has shown promise in preventing

cybercrime; despite this, it requires continuous technological progress and the expansion

of training initiatives (Cherpak, 2024).

The creation and implementation of systems for scientific testing of new strategies of

police activities are central to the responsibilities to guarantee their effectiveness and

compliance with world standards. Active cooperation with international organizations, in

particular the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and Interpol, is an important part of

this process for obtaining advanced knowledge and introducing best practices in the area

of public safety. For example, Ukraine and the OSCE are already cooperating in reforming

the police, which involves training instructors to work by international standards and

conducting training seminars (Supronyuk, 2024; Omelchuk et al., 2022).

Establishing procedures for public oversight of law enforcement organizations is another

important element that will increase public confidence in the police and guarantee the

openness of its activities. The public can now participate in the evaluation of the work of

law enforcement officers in Ukraine through advisory councils to police departments;

however, they require additional powers and active cooperation with foreign specialists.

Using the example of European countries, where independent oversight bodies often

conduct such investigations, it is also vital to improve the processes of internal

investigations into allegations of law enforcement actions (Vrublevska-Misyuna &

Tychyna, 2022).

The Russian-Ukrainian war is a critical stress test for the implementation of international

human rights standards in law enforcement. While warfare and martial law inevitably

impose certain restrictions on individual rights, international human rights law and

international humanitarian law require that such restrictions remain lawful, necessary,

proportionate and subject to effective oversight. In this context, the role of law

enforcement agencies goes beyond traditional policing functions to include maintaining

public order in emergency situations, interacting with the military and ensuring the

protection of civilians. The European Convention on Human Rights, as interpreted by the

European Court of Human Rights, allows for limited derogations in case of public

emergency threatening the life of the nation; however, such derogations do not relieve

the state of its fundamental obligations to prevent torture, arbitrary detention, enforced

disappearance and discrimination.

For Ukraine, the war complicates the practical implementation of international human

rights standards in law enforcement. Increased security risks, population displacement,

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International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

514

destruction of infrastructure and increased operational pressure on police officers create

conditions under which the risk of human rights violations is objectively increasing.

Nevertheless, compliance with international legal standards during armed conflict

remains a crucial indicator of a state's commitment to the rule of law and democratic

values. From the perspective of European integration, the war does not diminish but

rather reinforces the importance of respecting human rights standards in law

enforcement. The EU and the Council of Europe have consistently emphasised that

respect for human rights and effective civilian control over security forces are

indispensable even under martial law. In this sense, Ukraine’s ability to ensure the

accountability of law enforcement agencies during the conflict serves as a key benchmark

for assessing the resilience of its legal system and institutional maturity as an EU

candidate state.

The war also highlights the need for coordinated application of international human rights

law and international humanitarian law in policing, especially in areas affected by

hostilities and in dealing with internally displaced persons, detainees and vulnerable

groups. Strengthening the training of law enforcement officials in the application of these

legal regimes, as well as enhancing cooperation with international monitoring

mechanisms, is essential to prevent systemic violations and maintain public trust in law

enforcement. Accordingly, the implementation of international legal standards for the

protection of human rights by law enforcement in armed conflict should not be seen as

an optional or secondary task, but as a fundamental component of Ukraine's legal

obligations and its broader strategy of European integration and post-war recovery.

In general, large-scale and systemic changes are needed to implement global legal

standards of human rights protection in the law enforcement field in Ukraine. This

includes strengthening public control, introducing innovative technologies, improving the

skills of police officers, reforming the MIA education system, and intensifying

international cooperation. The Ukrainian law enforcement system will be able to meet

modern international standards and ensure effective protection of people’s freedoms and

rights only if these steps are taken.

Conclusions

Human rights and freedoms are important for Ukraine’s democratic growth, as they are

the basic principles of the modern world. After gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine

assumed international obligations to ensure the protection of rights, and this is reflected

in laws and reforms, especially in the area of public security. In the context of Ukraine’s

European integration and its aspirations to join the EU, the implementation of

international legal standards for the protection of human rights in law enforcement is of

strategic importance. Compliance with these standards is an important element of the

Copenhagen Political Criteria and demonstrates Ukraine’s readiness to function as a state

governed by the rule of law within the European legal space. Therefore, the further

approximation of national law enforcement practices to European standards should be

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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

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May 2026, pp. 502-518

International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

Enforcement: Experience of Implementation in the Law and order of Ukraine

Serhii Kulyk, Volodymyr Gavrylenko, Maryna Anisimova, Ivan Hafych, Sergii Kuzmych

515

seen as a crucial factor for successful EU accession and the long-term sustainability of

democratic institutions in Ukraine.

The National Police of Ukraine, as a law enforcement authority, provides for the

implementation of international legal norms of a number of international agreements,

including the UN Convention against Torture, the European Convention on Human Rights,

and the UN Code of Legal Conduct. Members of law enforcement agencies and others.

The rule of law, accountability, transparency as well as compliance with human rights

remain the cornerstones of police work. That means that law enforcement agencies must

act exclusively within the law, respecting and protecting the rights of citizens.

The creation of a new police force based on world experience has become one of the

main changes that stimulates the observance of human rights. This involved the

reorganization of law enforcement agencies, increasing the professional training of police

officers, strengthening public control and reducing the level of corruption among these

organizations. In addition, special training programs were introduced to help law

enforcement officers respect human rights, in particular with the help of foreign partners

and experts.

Financial and logistical assistance to the law enforcement system is crucial to successful

implementation the international standards. Insufficient resources can lead to the police

acting in an uncharacteristic manner and jeopardizing human rights, peace and order.

Preventing such problems requires improving the system of motivation of law

enforcement officers, creating decent working conditions for them and providing them

with sufficient material resources to fulfil their tasks.

Ukraine is still adapting to the European and international legal systems, despite a

difficult political and legal environment. A crucial first step in developing a democratic

society and strengthening the rule of law is to bring legislation into line with international

standards and apply it in practice.

However, there are other issues that need extra attention. Among them are violations of

human rights during law enforcement operations, cases of abuse of power by police

officers and general distrust of law enforcement agencies. Only a comprehensive strategy

that provides for the legal education of citizens, the creation of powerful mechanisms of

public control, toughening the punishment of law enforcement officers who violate human

rights, and additional improvements in the system of their professional training can solve

these problems.

International legal norms should be enshrined in Ukraine’s legal system to effectively

address current problems and protect human rights. It is extremely important to enhance

the professional training of law enforcement officers, introduce the latest technologies,

and adapt curricula to international standards. Equally important is the development of

scientific methods, cooperation with international organizations and strengthening of

public control over police activities. The implementation of these measures will ensure

that the law enforcement system complies with modern international standards and

effectively protects the rights of citizens.

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International Legal Standards for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Law

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Therefore, further improvement of the legislative framework, professional training of

police officers and ensuring proper monitoring of freedom of expression remain a priority

for the Ukrainian state. Only through an integrated approach and international

cooperation can the rights and freedoms of every citizen be truly protected, which is the

key to democratic development and the stability of society.

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