c

H. Election campaign

Election campaign activities are almost invariably a manifestation of an individual’s right to freedom of expression and/or association. Ukraine is obliged under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms to ensure those rights to everyone within its jurisdiction.[1] Any restriction on these rights must be strictly necessary and proportionate in a democratic society. It may be difficult to reconcile with these principles a rule in the draft law which appears to prohibit foreign nationals and stateless individuals from expressing opinions during campaign activities. It is not clear how such a blanket restriction is strictly necessary in a democratic society.

[1]  Articles 1, 10, and 11 of the convention.