International humanitarian law aims to protect civilians in military conflicts. The war in Ukraine, as wars in Gaza and other contemporary conflicts, show that military organisations fail to take the necessary steps to protect civilians. Related to the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities, as well as other states, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the UN, the OSCE and civil society organisations conduct extensive investigations to ensure that there will not be total impunity for all the war crimes committed. A special tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine is about to be established, focusing on the criminal responsibility of those who planned, prepared, initiated and executed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the event, we’ll take stock of these measures to document war crimes and hold perpetrators to account. Will they lead to better protection of civilians? A new report on war crimes under Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian town of Balakliia will be presented, as well as insights into a report detailing Russia’s systematic failure to protect civilians in the Afghan, Chechen, Georgian, Syrian, and Ukrainian wars.
Agenda
14:00 Welcome and introduction, Lene Wetteland, Head of Documentation and Accountability Hub, Norwegian Helsinki Committee
14:05 NORAD’s support for war crimes documentation in Ukraine, Jean-Christophe Delmas, Senior Advisor, NORAD
14:10 War crimes in Balakliia: new NHC report presented by Ana Pashalishvili, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Helsinki Committee
14:15 Panel debate:
How can war crimes documentation and prosecutions improve the protection of civilians? What more can be done to increase their protection? What does justice for Ukraine look like? Lene Wetteland will lead the discussion with:
- Valentyna Soloviova, Analytical Department Manager, Truth Hounds, Ukraine
- Camilla G. Cooper, Professor, Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College
- Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal, Deputy Secretary General, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee
14:55 Concluding remarks, Lillia Lilih, Head of the Board, Carpatian Sea Democracy Week
15:00 The end
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