Lviv Students Rally Against Exclusion From Civil Code Parliamentary Dialogue

Student Protest Erupts in Lviv

According to 5 канал: Students from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and the Ukrainian Catholic University have organized a protest in response to being barred from attending the 'Parliamentary Dialogue' event. This meeting, featuring the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, was intended to focus on discussions surrounding the updated draft of the Civil Code. The students demanded a chance to question officials about civil partnerships, Ukraine's commitments to European integration, and human rights protections.

Restricted Public Access Sparks Outcry

Although the 'Parliamentary Dialogue' was promoted as an open forum between government and society, attendance was limited exclusively to selected media representatives and students pre-approved through official lists. Protesters highlighted the lack of publicly available information on journalist registration or accreditation.

“We couldn’t find any registration or accreditation details for journalists beforehand. It was only late last night, through unofficial channels, that we learned where and when the event would take place,” said Kateryna, a participant and member of the NGO 'Feminist Workshop.'

The revised Civil Code draft has sparked controversy over potential restrictions on freedom of expression, alterations to property ownership rules, and changes to the definitions of family, as well as protections related to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. Critics have also raised concerns about provisions concerning the 'right to be forgotten' and the concept of 'informational tranquility.' Some of these provisions were amended following initial backlash, particularly those affecting women's rights and alimony.

The students emphasized the necessity for transparent debate on these issues, raising key questions such as:

• What is the status of civil partnerships?
• Which obligations must Ukraine fulfill under the European Commission’s integration framework?
• If young people were given a platform, they would demand clear answers on safeguarding human rights.

It is important to note that Ruslan Stefanchuk, who chaired the event, ranks at the top of an anti-environmental impact list of Ukrainian parliamentarians. This ranking was compiled by environmental organizations such as WWF-Ukraine, Greenpeace Ukraine, the Center for Environmental Initiatives 'Ecodia,' the Ukrainian Environmental Group, and 'Teren,' based on legislative initiatives and expert assessments. Additionally, Ukraine’s fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, publicly urged Stefanchuk to cease constitutional violations.

This student demonstration reflects a growing youth engagement in issues related to human rights and governmental transparency. The exclusion from discussions on significant legislative reforms has sparked dissatisfaction, underscoring the urgent need for more open dialogue between authorities and citizens. Moreover, criticism of the new Civil Code draft, especially its human rights aspects, should be viewed in light of Ukraine’s European integration commitments, which require protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all individuals.