The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (STCA), including victims’ participation in its proceedings, was the focus of two events held in New York on 27 and 28 October 2026.
On 28 October, Ukraine, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the International Bar Association and the International Renaissance Foundation held a side-event at United Nations Headquarters during International Law Week. Under the title “Victims in accountability mechanisms: Perspectives in the context of the aggression against Ukraine,” participants considered victims’ representation and participation before accountability mechanisms that are being established in the framework of the Council of Europe for Ukraine. One panel focused on how victims might be collectively represented and participate in the STCA, including how to balance meaningful participation with fair-trial rights. A second panel discussed the future International Claims Commission for Ukraine, which is intended to review and decide claims for damage, loss and injury caused by internationally wrongful acts committed by the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine. The discussion drew on the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which has, to date, received more than 200,000 claims. The Register and its work will transfer to the Commission once it is established. The Convention establishing the Commission was opened for signature at the end of 2025. To date, the Convention has been signed by 40 states and the EU and ratified by 11 of these signatories.
The day before, on 27 October, the Council of Europe Special Tribunal Advance Team and the New York City Bar Association co-organised the academic symposium “Legal and Institutional Perspectives on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.” Academics and legal practitioners discussed the Tribunal’s place in the international accountability framework, its relationship with the International Criminal Court and other mechanisms, and practical and procedural questions concerning investigations and prosecutions. The roundtable included legal experts from US universities and international justice organisations. The Special Tribunal is part of efforts to prosecute individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine, a crime that the International Criminal Court cannot currently prosecute in the situation concerning Ukraine.
The events as part of the Special Tribunal Advance Team project were funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe.