The permanent extension in Ukraine of a moratorium on the sale of agricultural land violates human rights, according to a judgment issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The main argument was that Ukraine wanted to allow selling and buying the land only after the appropriate market will be created. After Soviet Union fell apart, agricultural lands were presented to people who earlier worked in collective farms, but there existed a prohibition to sell them.
ECHR recommended to take appropriate measures to ensure a fair balance between the interests of farm owners and the community.