Kyiv, 10 October 2024 – Timely access to reliable information is critically important in times of crisis caused by war. However, some information cannot be disclosed due to national security concerns., In this context, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark held the international “Balancing access to information and national security – lessons from Ukraine during armed conflicts” conference.

At the event, national and international experts on access to information, government representatives, civil society members, and journalists discussed international standards and best practices for finding a balance between the right to information and national security in times of war.

In his opening remarks, Jaco Cilliers, the UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the significance of access to public information that holds substantial public interest in wartime.

“Making critical decisions must be grounded on official, reliable, and timely information. During war, effective work by information holders, grounded in strict adherence to current legal requirements, facilitates well-informed decision-making and enhances public trust in government institutions,” he said.

During the conference, the Kyiv Declaration on balancing access to information and national security during armed conflicts was developed and discussed. This document outlines essential steps to uphold transparency standards, even in times of armed conflict.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted that Restrictions should not hinder an adequate level of government transparency, even in times of war. "This is an essential element in building a strong and democratic country!" he emphasized. 

The event also saw the presentation of a report on this year’s access to information monitoring, conducted with the participation of the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and its regional network, supported by UNDP in Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. This year's monitoring was intended to assess how access to information is managed in wartime, identify systemic issues, and propose solutions. 

Background:
The international conference was organized by the office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rightsand UNDP in Ukraine with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, as part of the “Human Rights for Ukraine, Phase II” subproject. Since 2019, UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Denmark have regularly supported public information access monitoring initiatives. 

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org