Advocacy in the system of protection of human rights and freedoms in wartime

The purpose of the study was to identify the key aspects of the functioning of the Bar, its role and mechanisms in ensuring effective protection of human rights and freedoms under martial law. To achieve this goal, the author used the case study method to analyse the practical interaction of the national bar network with representatives of international missions with a view to guaranteeing the rights of citizens to healthcare, education, compensation for damages and social security. It was found that in wartime, the challenges for the Ukrainian legal community are the lack of transparency and accountability of professional practice, especially in the temporarily uncontrolled territories; the unsystematic nature of documenting and finding legal solutions to problems arising in the exercise of citizens’ rights and freedoms; verification of data and certificates issued in the temporarily occupied territories; lack of a unified database and access to information, especially in the combat zone, temporarily occupied, etc. Given the analysis, the author proposed strategies to improve the effectiveness of advocacy in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens under martial law. Such strategies include, in particular, the creation of a single digital platform to ensure interaction between members of the country’s legal community and those in need of legal aid; systematic documentation of material and moral damages caused by military aggression; work with citizens to inform them about existing legal defence opportunities; international partnerships to continuously improve the quality and accessibility of legal defence