In the framework of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, the ARC expert Borys Babin actively participated in its Plenary Session 9, “Tolerance and Non-discrimination II”, where the rights of persons belonging to national minorities were discussed, as well as in the Roundtable with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, “National Minorities and National Equality Mechanisms: Fostering Access and Trust”.
In his statement of the session, Professor Babin stressed attention to the aspects of Russian discrimination of ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea. The importance of new Ukrainian legislation amendments, providing the additional educational guarantees for the indigenous peoples and national minorities, was described.
The ARC expert stressed the duty to expand relevant legal guarantees to the Ukrainian Gagauz and Roma communities. Also, in the framework of the discussion on the legal regime of the Gagauz ethnic group in Ukraine, Professor Babin pointed out the duty of the interstate dialogue between Ukraine and Moldova, with the participation of the authorized UN and OSCE officials.
During the Roundtable, the ARC expert stressed challenges for Ukrainian Roma in the Russia-occupied territories, including the growth of anti-Romanism of the aggressor’s “authorities” and propaganda in the Crimea.
Relevant challenges and perspectives of minorities rights’ protection in conditions of the Russian aggression were discussed by Professor Babin with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Dr. Cristophe Kamp.
