Ukrainian officials, civil society members to learn at OSCE events about new rules for registration of associations

CHERNIVTSI, Ukraine, 10 June 2013- The OSCE Project Co-ordinator and Ukraine’s State Registration Service launched today a series of six regional information seminars to familiarize public servants and third sector activists with new registration procedures for civil society organizations.

The seminars will also be held in Odesa, Sevastopol, Sumy, Khmelnitsky and Kharkiv. It is expected that a total of 360 participants will attend the events, which will run from 10 June to 1 July. 

During the seminars, officers of the Registration Service’s regional branches will learn how to manage the modified procedures provided for by the new Law on Public Associations. Civil society activists will be briefed on how to register a new organization, and on what needs updating for already existing associations.

“Freedom of association is an essential principle in any democratic society,” said Rene BeBeau, Senior Project Officer with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “We hope the project will help translate the country’s new and simplified registration process into good relations between the state authorities and the public.”

Olena Semerkina, who heads the Registration Service’s Department for legalizing associations and registering media outlets, added: “For us, working with civil society is a priority. By involving civil society organizations in drafting laws, institutional development and information campaigns, we make sure that our administrative services are efficient and simple, which is in the interest of the general public. The seminars will help these organisations exercise their right to freedom of association.”

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator organized the events following a request by the State Registration Service. They are held with support from Ukraine’s Justice Ministry and  Parliament’s Human Rights Commissioner.