Bill No. 13597 proposes a new approach to combating hate crimes
Bill No. 13597, registered with the Verkhovna Rada in August 2025, proposes to update Ukraine’s approach to combating discrimination and crimes motivated by intolerance. The initiative is currently under review by a committee; at the same time, it has been included on the parliament’s agenda and designated as a European integration bill, according to “European Truth.”
The bill provides for expanding the list of protected characteristics. In particular, it proposes adding national origin, health status, sexual orientation, and gender identity to this list. It is proposed that discriminatory actions not involving violence or threats of violence be addressed through administrative proceedings.
At the same time, the document provides for criminal liability for more dangerous acts, such as public incitement to violence motivated by intolerance. It is also proposed to establish a motive of intolerance as an aggravating circumstance for a number of crimes, including murder, bodily injury, and assault.
The Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU noted in its conclusion that the bill does not contradict Ukraine’s international legal obligations regarding European integration and is aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the roadmap on the rule of law.
In its report as part of the 2025 EU Enlargement Package, the European Commission noted that Ukrainian legislation does not comply with EU Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms of racism and xenophobia through criminal law. Other issues cited included the lack of systematic data collection on hate crimes and the failure of criminal law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity in this context.
The author of the column, Olga Polyakova, head of the human rights organization Gender Stream, emphasizes that the practical application of the new provisions requires clear definitions, training for investigators and prosecutors, systematic recording of such crimes, analysis of complaints against police actions, and support mechanisms for victims.
