The Ukrainian government did little to prevent or punish the attacks or to stem rising violence against minority communities, including Roma and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. It continued restrictions on freedom of expression and information, and on the media, invoking as justification a need to counter Russia’s military aggression in eastern Ukraine and anti-Ukraine propaganda.
2019 Presidential Election
Human Rights Watch: Human rights backsliding as election looms
An Equality March participant marches during the LGBTQ rally in downtown Kyiv on June 17, 2018.
