UWC marks 75 years of European Convention on Human Rights, urges democracies to defend its values

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) joins the international community and all democratic nations in marking the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, a landmark has stood as a pillar of dignity, freedom, and justice across Europe.

Signed in Rome on Nov. 4, 1950, in the aftermath of World War II, the Convention established a new vision for Europe, one that is based on democracy, the rule of law, and unwavering respect for every individual.

For 75 years, the Convention and the European Court of Human Rights have safeguarded the rights of millions, by promoting accountability, freedom, and peace across the continent.

Today, those principles are under serious threat. The Russian Federation, expelled from the Convention in 2022, continues its genocidal war against Ukraine. It’s a war blemished by numerous documented war crime atrocities and violations of human rights. 

This aggression is not only an attack on Ukraine and its people but also on the very foundation of the European and human rights system. The Kremlin’s actions seek to undermine the framework that has preserved peace and justice for generations. 

As we and the world commemorate the Convention’s 75th anniversary, we call on all democratic nations to reaffirm their commitment to its principles — to ensure accountability for war crimes, protect human rights, and defend the core values that define the democratic world: freedom, dignity, and justice for all.