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A training program for Ukrainian judges to conduct war crimes trials has begun as part of UK efforts to secure justice for the country’s citizens.
More than 90 judges will undergo the UK-funded sessions, which are being held in the region under the supervision of former International Criminal Court judge Sir Howard Morrison Casey. Sir Howard was appointed in March by the former attorney general, now Andriy Kostin, to act as an independent adviser to Ukraine’s prosecutor general, as part of a wider package of support for the war-torn country.
Attorney General Victoria Prentice Casey said:
Ukraine is navigating a horrific catalog of war crimes, with 50,000 cases reported so far – the UK is committed to helping them secure justice.
Training for judges is an important step in ensuring that those who perpetrate unspeakable atrocities on innocent civilians are held accountable.
We are putting the full force of our support – including some of the UK’s best legal minds – into making sure that happens.
The training is just one part of a £2.5m justice and accountability package of direct UK aid to Ukraine. In May, the UK, US and EU established the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group to directly support the war crimes units of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine – to streamline coordination, avoid duplication and provide advice and practical assistance.
The package also includes the deployment of mobile justice teams to the scene of potential war crimes, collecting forensic evidence and support from UK experts in sexual violence in conflict.
A further £1 million in funding was pledged for the International Criminal Court, whose work includes investigating atrocities committed by Russian forces as the ongoing conflict continues.
Sir Howard Morrison KC said:
The first sessions, now held, focused on international and humanitarian law with an emphasis on trying war crimes cases and adjudicating them fully in the International Court of Law.
Judges are of course very experienced in Ukrainian domestic law, but many have never tried war crimes before, and that is a specialized profession.
Andrey Kostin is doing an outstanding job and faces a task almost unparalleled in modern history as he prepares to bring to trial the Russian forces responsible for these heinous crimes during a live conflict.
At the G7 justice ministers meeting in Germany this month, the UK co-signed the Berlin Declaration pledging ‘unwavering solidarity with Ukraine’.
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