The Ukrainian Bar Association is launching the second phase of the project "The trial monitoring in war crimes cases", which is being implemented under a grant agreement with the USAID Human Rights in Action Project, implemented by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union

On December 18, the UBA held an online event to present the second phase of the project, discuss proposals for improving the methodology and questionnaire, and engage in monitoring assistance, which the participation of representatives of the judiciary, prosecutors, and the free legal aid system.

The event was attended by colleagues from the city of Kyiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro oblasts.

Representatives of the UBA told the participants of the meeting about the essence of the project, its purpose, objectives and ways of implementation, how the monitoring procedure will take place, etc. They also discussed proposals for improving the methodology and the questionnaire to be used by monitors at court hearings.

The participants of the meeting had the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on how the monitoring process should be conducted.

The parties agreed that the second phase of monitoring of court proceedings in respect of serious international crimes will be an important step towards supporting the Ukrainian justice system in ensuring the right to a fair trial and Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

This publication was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the framework of the Human Rights in Action Program implemented by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union (UHHRU).

Opinions, conclusions and recommendations presented in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the United States Government. The contents are the responsibility of the authors and UHHRU.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for 55 years. In Ukraine, USAID’s assistance focuses on three areas: Health and Social Transition, Economic Growth and Democracy and Governance. USAID has provided 1.8 bln. technical and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since 1992.

For additional information about USAID programs in Ukraine, please visit our website https://www.usaid.gov/ukraine or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USAIDUkraine.