“United for Justice. Accountability for the Attacks against Civilian Objects”
High-Level Expert Conference
11 September 2024, Kyiv, Ukraine
CLOSING SESSION 16:30-17:00 CET
Speech by
Clare OVEY, Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe
Dear Prosecutor General, Excellencies, Ministers, Distinguished Partners,
I am honoured to deliver the closing remarks on behalf of the Council of Europe at this important high-level Conference.
First, I would like to express my gratitude to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, the key organiser, for our long-standing partnership and close cooperation, including in respect of this Conference.
Speaking in my capacity as Human Rights Director, our collective efforts towards ensuring justice for violations of international law have far-reaching human rights implications. Namely, to avoid impunity for serious violations of human rights and to provide redress to all victims of this unprovoked war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Just a few days ago, European Ministers of Justice came together in Vilnius to discuss accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine.
In their Declaration, the Ministers reiterated their readiness to strengthen international mechanisms to ensure accountability for international crimes, including the crime of aggression, and to enhance the protection of the rights of victims.
Building on the Reykjavik Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, the established international Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the ‘Riga Principles’ they adopted themselves a year ago, the Ministers:
- Commended the process of Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute as an important step forward for international justice.
- Strongly supported the investigations of the ICC aimed at bringing to justice perpetrators of international crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine.
- Reaffirmed the necessity of establishing an effective Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, to deliver justice by holding accountable those who bear the greatest responsibility.
- Welcomed the contributions of the Council of Europe and the European Union to the consultations within the Core Group on establishing such a Special Tribunal, including preparation and presentation of a draft agreement and statutory documents for its establishment.
- Reaffirmed the critical importance that any future proceedings of an established Special Tribunal should adhere to applicable international law, based on the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. A particular emphasis should be on the right to a fair trial.
Emphasising the undisputable advantages of in-person trials, the Ministers also acknowledged that, under certain conditions and where the applicable law so permits, and with full respect to fair trial guarantees, procedural steps in absentia in the prosecution of international crimes may serve the interest of justice.
At the Conference here today, you have discussed a number of these issues in depth, with the expertise and knowledge needed to make genuine progress in line with Council of Europe principles. You have made progress in ensuring that national and international systems work better together, a task that is far from simple. You have made progress in ensuring better coordination, efficiency and coherence, all of which are, likewise, a prerequisite for progress.
The steps you have taken are critical to avoid impunity and to provide redress to the victims of the ongoing war of aggression. I assure you that the Council of Europe is with you every step of the way going forward.
As the title of the Conference today suggests, we shall remain united for justice, and – together – we shall prove successful in ensuring accountability for the ongoing attacks on civilian objects.
Thank you for your attention.
