Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

have the right to influence decision, made by the state. Advocacy is one of methods of
such influence.
2. The right to freedom of association in political parties, public and charitable
organisations, professional unions and so on, for the exercise and protection of
their rights and freedoms.
It is established by the Article 36 of the Constitution: “Citizens of Ukraine have
the right to freedom of association in political parties and public organisations for
the exercise and protection of their rights and freedoms and for the satisfaction of
their political, economic, social, cultural and other interests, with the exception of
restrictions established by law in the interests of national security and public order, the
protection of the health of the population or the protection of rights and freedoms of
other persons”. Advocacy work is one of the forms of “exercise and protection of citizen
rights, and for satisfaction… of their interests”. In most cases this right is exercised
through citizen associations, established by this Article.
3. The right to file individual or collective petitions, or to personally appeal to
bodies of state power.
This right is established by the Article 40 of the Constitution: “Everyone has the right to
file individual or collective petitions, or to personally appeal to bodies of state power,
bodies of local self-government, and to the officials and officers of these bodies, that
are obliged to consider the petitions and to provide a substantiated reply within the
term established by law”. Advocacy uses petitions to government bodies as one of its
methods.
4. Citizen right to peaceful assembly.
Article 39 of the Constitution establishes that “Citizens have the right to assemble
peacefully without arms and to hold meetings, rallies, processions and demonstrations,
upon notifying in advance the bodies of executive power or bodies of local selfgovernment”.
Holding of such collective and mass events is another method of advocacy
work.
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