The Human Rights Institute of the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBAHRI), in partnership with the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), is pleased to announce the first webinar in a series of events dedicated to exploring global experiences in transitional justice. This inaugural discussion will provide an in-depth analysis of South Africa’s transitional justice experience.

DATE: 27 May

TIME: 16:00 Kyiv | 09:00 New York | 15:00 CET

FORMAT: Online (via Zoom)

LANGUAGES: English/Ukrainian with simultaneous interpretation

Background

South Africa's transitional justice process remains a cornerstone in global efforts to reconcile divided societies. Emerging from the brutal legacy of apartheid, the country established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address gross human rights violations, facilitate amnesties, and restore dignity to victims. While the TRC set a precedent for truth-telling and public participation, it faced critiques regarding unfulfilled prosecutions, limited socioeconomic reform, and gendered impacts of violence. More information you can find here.

As South Africa continues to grapple with unresolved issues and enduring inequalities, its experiences provide critical lessons for countries like Ukraine, navigating their own paths toward justice, reconciliation, and transformation.

THE AGENDA

Key Topics to be Discussed:

• How can truth and accountability be effectively balanced in transitional justice processes? Are amnesties in exchange for truth a worthwhile compromise?
• Is it possible to pursue truth and justice without strong and independent institutions? How do socio-economic inequalities contribute to social divisions?
• Did such issues fuel regional grievances and, ultimately, collaboration in Ukraine? How can expectations around transitional justice be realistically managed?
• What role do storytelling, public acknowledgment, and cultural expressions of memory play in healing and reconciliation?

Moderators: 

• Inna Liniova, Director of the Human Rights Institute, Ukrainian Bar Association
• Representative of International Center for Transitional Justice

Speakers:

• Richard J. Goldstone, Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (1994 - 2003), Former Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda 
• Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights in South Africa, a former member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 
• Howard Varney, Senior Expert, ICTJ 
• Maksym Ieligulashvili, expert, 5 a.m. Coalition

Prior registration is MANDATORY to participate.

REGISTRATION

If you wish, you can make a charitable contribution and support the activities of the Ukrainian Bar Association.

SUPPORT

For further details, please contact Daria Lupiichuk at +380 (97) 256-30-41 or gr@uba.ua.