Description
The unprecedented scale and complexity of Russian war crimes in Ukraine have necessitated a multifaceted approach to accountability, integrating national, regional, and international justice mechanisms. At the national level, Ukraine’s judiciary has undertaken the primary responsibility, documenting, investigating, prosecuting and convicting the vast majority of war crimes domestically, even amidst the actively ongoing war. Regionally, collaboration with over 27 countries, facilitated by entities such as Eurojust and Europol, has enhanced investigative efforts and evidence collection, while the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations linked to the war. Internationally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been pursuing accountability for high-ranking perpetrators, reinforcing international legal mechanisms for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Complementing these efforts, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) addresses state-level violations, reinforcing Ukraine’s comprehensive legal strategy. To fully address the breadth of the committed Russian crimes and prevent impunity for the act of aggression, discussions around establishing a Special ad hoc Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine have gained momentum. Additionally, the pursuit of civil liability and reparations seeks to hold the aggressor country accountable for the harm and damage inflicted, adding another dimension to the comprehensive efforts to achieve justice and redress. This paper examines the interplay of these diverse accountability initiatives, offering insights into their collective role as a pioneering model for international justice, with implications for conflict resolution and legal accountability in international studies.
