Event “Torture and persecution of civilians as crimes against humanity by the Russian authorities in Ukraine” takes place in Kyiv

Panel Discussion “Torture and Persecution of Civilians as Crimes Against Humanity by the Russian Authorities in Ukraine” will take place in Kyiv and online on August 28th, 2024, from 10:30 to 16:30 Kyiv Time / 09:30 to 15:30 CEST. It is organised by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). Registration is available at the link.

The first session “Accountability for torture and related crimes at the international level”

Moderator: Olha Reshetylova, Head of the Media Initiative for Human Rights

10:30 – 10:40 – Welcoming remarks

• Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine
• Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the World Organisation Against Torture

10:40 – 11:35 – Presentation of the results of investigations and fact-finding by human rights organisations and international mandates

• Presentation of a new report “Torture and other violations as crimes against humanity by the Russian army in Ukraine” by OMCT, MIHR and ZMINA: revealed patterns and legal analysis
• Key findings and recommendations of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism
• Preliminary conclusions of the UN COI and recommendations to CSOs on how to support COI work effectively
• Findings of UN Monitoring Mission, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, OSCE ODIHR
• What do these findings mean for building a case on crimes against humanity?

Speakers:

• Lyubov Smachylo, Head of Analytical Department, Media Initiative for Human Rights
• Yelyzaveta Sokurenko, Head of War Crimes Documentation, Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Dr. Elina Steinerte, OSCE Moscow Mechanism Expert
• Joël Mermet, Coordinator, UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, online

11:35 – 12:30 – Building a case on torture, enforced disappearances, persecution and related crimes as crimes against humanity: investigation into common elements

• Why is it important to get these crimes investigated and prosecuted by the ICC as crimes against humanity?
• Challenges to build the case on crimes against humanity in the context of the Russian fullscale invasion to Ukraine and possible ways to overcome them: investigation strategy
• The role of hate speech analysis to build a case on persecution as crimes against humanity
• Best practices to investigate alleged crimes against humanity in Israel-OPT/Gaza and how they can be applied in Ukraine
• Strategic litigations to UN human rights bodies as additional instruments for justice and case building: recommendations for CSOs and Ukrainian authorities

Speakers:

• Maryia Kvitsinskaya, Human Rights Adviser, World Organisation Against Torture
• Ilya Nuzov, Head of the International Justice Desk, International Federation for Human Rights, online
• Jenna Abu Hsana, Internationa Advocacy Officer, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, online
• Eugenia Andreyuk, Head of Europe and Central Asia Programme, World Organisation Against Torture, online

The second session “Accountability for torture and related crimes at the domestic level”

Moderator: Alina Pavliuk, lawyer, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group

14:00-15:30 – Domestic investigations of conflict-related torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence

• Legislation gaps, challenges in pre-trial investigations and trials
• How victim-centred approach is ensured: importance and efficiency of the victim and witness protection system in Ukraine
• Recommendations for Ukrainian authorities
• Overview of current achievements and challenges in prosecuting torture crimes against civilians and POWs by OPG and SSU
• Needs of law enforcement agencies: how CSOs and the international community can contribute to strengthening the capacity of the Ukrainian legal system
• Best world practices of investigating and prosecuting international crimes in domestic legal systems

Speakers:

• Evgenia Kapalkina, lawyer, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group,
• Hanna Rassamakhina, lawyer, Media Initiative for Human Rights
• Serhii Kushnir, Head of the War Crimes Investigation Department, Security Service of Ukraine
• Andrii Leshchenko, Deputy Head of the Division for Procedural Oversight and Support of Public Prosecution of the War Crimes Investigation Department, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
• Anna Myriam Roccatello, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Programs, International Center for Transitional Justice, online

15:30 – 16:00 – Forensic examinations: analyses of legislation gaps and ways to improve the availability and quality of medical documentation

• Presentation of analytical brief “Support for survivors of torture and conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine: how to improve medico-legal documentation and access to justice” by Physicians for Human Rights
• The Ministry of Health’s perspective for forensic medical service reform: successes, challenges and needs

Speakers:

• Uliana Poltavets, Ukraine Emergency Response Coordinator, Physicians for Human Rights
• Tetiana Soboleva, Head of the Forensic Division of the High-Tech Medical Care and Innovation Department, Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Registration is available at the link.