The legal cooperation is an important element of interaction among the CIS states in the legal domain aimed at law enforcement, protection of human rights and legitimate interests, as well as combating crime and effectively administering justice.

The legal cooperation within the Commonwealth is realized through a system of specialized bodies and mechanisms that provide for coordination among the member states, exchange of experience and harmonization of national legislation.

The establishment of the Human Rights Commission in 2022 was one of the most significant events in the development of cooperation in human rights protection within the Commonwealth in recent years. The establishment of this consultative body marked a new stage in the interstate cooperation regarding upholding human rights and freedoms, exchange of national experience and improvement of the legislation of the CIS member states.

In a relatively short period, the Commission has moved from a newly established structure to a respectable expert body of the Commonwealth. One of the main results of its work was the formation of the permanent thematic monitoring system of human rights protection in the CIS member states.

In 2023-2026 analytic reports (thematic reports) on the upholding of rights of migrant workers and their families, implementation of international standards in the penitentiary system, protection of minor from destructive internet content, respect for the rights of youth, realization of rights to a healthy and sustainable environment in the context of climate change, protection of rights of the veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945 and other topical items of the international human rights protection agenda were prepared and considered.

Following the consideration of the reports, the Commission adopted recommendations aimed at the development of national legislation and law enforcement practice as well as at enhanced sharing of positive experience among the CIS member states.

The Commission plays an important role in harmonizing human rights standards and promoting the dialogue among the CIS member states.

The Commission devotes significant attention to the development of model legislation. The proposals on the new version of the model law on the Status of the Commissioner for Human Rights provide for strengthening the guarantees of independence of national human rights institutions, extending the powers of Ombudsmen, developing the interaction with civil society institutions and considering modern challenges.

Along with expert and analytical activities, the Commission is progressively forming a unified position of the CIS Member states by means of adoption of joint statements concerning the most important dates and events. During the period under review, the Commission adopted the following statements:

• on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• on the 30th Anniversary of Adoption of the CIS Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;
• on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945;
• on the Protection of Human Rights to Health in the CIS.

At the same time, the work continues on creating a mechanism for considering appeals from states and individuals. Practice has shown the relevance of this area: already in the first years of its activity, the CIS Executive Committee and members of the Commission received dozens of complaints proving citizens’ trust in the new regional institution.

The CIS Commission of Children’s Rights Commissioners (Ombudsmen) established in 2022, has a significant role in human rights protection.

The Commission was created as an international platform to exchange experience, discuss issues related to human rights protection and legitimate interests of the child. At their meetings, the Commissioners raise the most urgent questions such as upholding the child’s right to family life, working with children in conflict with the law, employing children during vacations, ensuring the rights of children with special psychophysical development needs, cybersecurity for minors, and others.

To discuss topics of mutual interest, the Ombudsmen engage the best experts to establish and strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences and best practices from their countries.

In 2025 the Children’s Council was created under the CIS Commission of Children’s Rights Commissioners (Ombudsmen). Its main purpose is to involve the younger generation in the decision-making that affects their interests.

The feedback is one of the most important factors in human rights protection. At the same time, its efficiency is also determined by the level of development of citizens’ legal awareness, the dissemination of legal knowledge, and the widespread application of this knowledge in everyday legal relations.

The adoption in 2024 of the CIS Heads of State Council’s Decision on the Declaration of 2027 as the Year of Legal Awareness in the CIS, as well as the drafting and adoption of the corresponding Action Plan by the CIS Heads of Government Council, demonstrate the significance of this issue in the Commonwealth.