How can lustration become one of the tools to overcome the consequences of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine?

On 5 June 2025, Ukraine Crisis Media Center will host a press conference “How can lustration become one of the tools to overcome the consequences of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine?”. Organiser: The Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

Since the start of the armed aggression, Ukraine has faced the challenge of responding to cases of cooperation between Ukrainian citizens and the occupying authorities. Criminal prosecution for collaborative activities currently remains the only tool available to the state to respond to such cooperation, however, this approach does not cover all cases and does not fully restore trust in the authorities. In this context, lustration measures could be one of the effective solutions and an important component of transitional justice. They are designed not only to protect public administration from individuals compromised by collaboration with the occupier, but also to facilitate the reintegration of the population of the liberated territories, the formation of a transparent policy of memorialisation, the protection of democratic institutions and the countering of external interference in democratic processes in Ukraine.

The implementation of lustration will also contribute to building a safe space in communities, allowing for a systematic approach to addressing the challenges associated with the aftermath of war. Lustration measures must be regulated before the end of the armed conflict to ensure predictability, fairness and trust in the actions of the state.

The participants of the press conference will present an analytical note “How can lustration become one of the tools to overcome the consequences of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine?”, which outlines possible approaches to lustration in the war and post-war period, its purpose, objectives, criteria, organisational mechanisms, and principles of implementation.

Speakers:

• Olha Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
• Daria Svyrydova, partner of Azones Law Firm, co-author of the analytical note;
• Maksym Ieligulashvili, expert of the Ukraine 5AM Coalition;
• Tamila Tasheva, Member of Parliament of Ukraine [to be confirmed];
• Oleksandr Kliuzhev, expert on electoral law reform, adviser to the Chair of the Central Election Commission.

Moderator: Alena Lunova, Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

The Ukraine Crisis Media Centre will also stream the press conference on its YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/Tqa0C_7gwRw?si=NvX_L5o-Idi4M5mp.

The event will be held with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The authors’ views presented at the event do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.