Ukraine: Understanding War Crimes Trials
Public awareness and appreciation of often complex processes is vital to their success.
A new IWPR guide aims to provide the Ukrainian public with a concise and accessible resource to understanding the war crimes justice processes ongoing in their country.
Russian forces have committed an extensive number of war crimes against Ukrainians citizens since 2014; the prosector general’s office is currently investigating more than 150,000 cases. International justice efforts are also underway to hold perpetrators to account, including the top echelons of the Russian leadership.
The scale and complexity of these judicial proceedings - as well as procedural aspects and legal complexities - can be challenging. However, public understanding and support of these processes is vital to their success.
“This document meets an important public need in Ukraine right now – an accessible, clear and concise guide to processes that are often complex and confusing,” the guide’s author, legal expert Oksana Maksymeniuk, explained.
“Understandably, ordinary Ukrainians have little knowledge of just what war crimes justice involves. Why would they? But these legal processes are a vital part of the fight for accountability and an important part of ensuring future healing. The public has an important part to play in all of this.”
With a foreword from Nobel Peace prizewinner and IWPR international board member Oleksandra Matviichuk, the user-friendly guide provides an overview of key concepts and best practice.
The publication covers the definition of war crimes as well as the basic structure of investigation, from collecting evidence, testimonies, and forensics to identifying suspects.
It unpacks the legal process of a war crimes trial, and the role played by judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers.
Looking at both Ukrainian law and the role of international courts, the guide explores how transparency and accountability promote peace and security, as well as justice and healing.
Published in Ukrainian and English, the publication also lays out the vital role the public and the media plays in both reporting crimes and ensuring justice processes are fair and transparent.
“Prosecutors, police, and judges play a central role. But civil society, media, and, above all, survivors are essential to the process,” Matviichuk wrote in her introduction, stressing that justice was “a shared responsibility”.
The guide is produced as part of the Ukraine Justice Report project, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. The project trains and mentors local Ukrainian journalists to produce accurate court reporting and coverage, as well as publishing dedicated analysis, interviews and news features on key ongoing justice issues.
