Reparations for victims of the conflict in Ukraine – UN HRC58 side event

Minority Rights Group, PAX, Human Rights House Foundation and ZMINA together with other civil society partners organize the side event “Reparations for victims of the conflict in Ukraine: Victims’ perspectives on challenges and paths forward” on the margin of the 58th UN Human Rights Council. It will take place on the 20th of March at 13:00 in the XXV room of the Palais des Nations.

At the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (CoI) will report its findings on human rights abuses, international law violations and related crimes committed during the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. This side event will discuss in particular the issue of reparation for victims of the conflict, which has been the object of specific recommendations from the CoI. The discussion will include – but will not be limited to – a focus on specific challenges faced by minority communities like the Roma, Crimean Tatars and national-linguistic minorities.

While Ukraine has made progress in advancing reparations – through the freezing of Russian assets and other international mechanisms – securing financing and planning for their implementation remains a challenge. This event will highlight the need to sustain momentum towards ensuring reparations for victims.

The event will also present research by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights (Ceasefire) and the Eastern Ukrainian Center for Civic Initiatives (EUCCI) on issues surrounding the social protection of civilians who were deprived of their personal liberty during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the lessons learned.

The ideas and expectations of victims, including those of minority communities, regarding future reparations will be critically explored.

Speakers:

• Mr. Volodymyr Shcherbachenko, Eastern Ukrainian Center for Civic Initiatives
• Mr. Daniel Hromyko, Roma Women’s Fund “Chiricli”
• Ms. Tetiana Pechonckyk, Head of the Board, Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Mr. Pablo de Greiff, Commissioner of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
• Mr. Mark Lattimer, Executive Director of Ceasefire Center for Civilian Rights, former Executive Director of Minority Rights Group International

Moderator: Ms. Nurangiz Khodzharova, Minority Rights Group Europe

Organizers of the event: Minority Rights Group, PAX, Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, ULAG, Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights, Eastern-Ukraine Center of Civil Initiatives, Roma Women’s Fund “Chiricli”, SEMA, December 29th, Association of Relatives of Missing Persons “Nadiya”.