Protests have resurfaced near the Ukrainian government quarter following the first reading of a new Civil Code by the Verkhovna Rada. Activists are voicing concerns that the proposed legislation could undermine women’s rights, legitimize the misappropriation of state property, and restrict the interests of the LGBTQ+ community.
The new Civil Code, which has been in development for nearly seven years, spans over 800 pages. Its co-author and Speaker of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, argues that the update is essential for democracy, despite acknowledging some criticisms of the draft.
The current Civil Code, established in 2003, contains outdated references, such as teletypes. Advocates for the new code assert that its overhaul is necessary to modernize legal frameworks governing personal and property relations, including marriage and inheritance.
Stefanchuk initiated work on the new code on July 17, 2019, shortly before parliamentary elections. The first draft was released in early 2021, but the Parliament only resumed discussions in 2025.
The proposed code introduces nine books, compared to the current six, covering family law, private international law, and civil rights. The restructuring aims to unify Ukrainian laws with European legislation while considering national contexts.
Critics question the need for a complete overhaul, suggesting that amendments to the existing code could suffice. Marta Bereza, a lawyer with the DEJURE Foundation, argues that targeted changes are more logical for addressing unresolved issues, such as same-sex partnerships and reproductive technologies.
Prior to the first reading, controversial provisions sparked public outrage, including proposals allowing girls as young as 14 to marry under certain conditions. Many of these provisions were removed following backlash, but some contentious elements remain.
One of the newly added sections addresses family law, previously governed by a separate Family Code. Critics, including MP Inna Sovsun, raise concerns about vague terms like “good faith,” which could lead to subjective judicial interpretations.
Opponents of the new code also highlight potential risks to women’s rights. The charity “March of Women” has pointed out several provisions that could weaken protections for women, including mandatory reconciliation periods during divorce proceedings and limitations on alimony access.
While the code does not differentiate between genders regarding alimony obligations, it reduces the time frame for collecting overdue payments from ten years to one year, raising concerns among advocates.
Another contentious issue is the lack of expanded rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Lawmakers attribute this to constitutional restrictions, stating that marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman. Activists argue that the new code could hinder Ukraine’s European integration efforts by failing to recognize civil partnerships.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the protection of state property. Critics argue that the new code may facilitate the misappropriation of state assets, as it emphasizes public access to information in registries, potentially allowing unscrupulous individuals to claim unregistered properties.
Despite these criticisms, proponents of the new code assert that it aims to enhance transparency and protect ownership rights. They emphasize that the code will be refined before its second reading, with public input encouraged.
In the wake of the first reading, over 80 organizations have urged Parliament to reconsider the draft and have submitted amendments. The Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka, indicated that revisions could take several months.
Protests have erupted in Ukraine over a newly proposed Civil Code, raising concerns about its implications for women's rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and state property. While supporters argue for modernization, critics call for targeted amendments instead of a complete overhaul.