UBAHRI Supervisory Board defines main areas of the Institute's work
The Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Bar Association Human Rights Institute (UBAHRI) held its first meeting to outline the main directions of the Institute's work.
The Board brings together leading national and international legal experts, which will enhance the Institute's ability to effectively achieve its goals. Members of the Board include:
- Mykola Stetsenko, UBA President, Managing Partner at AVELLUM;
- Anna Ogrenchuk, Immediate Past UBA President, Managing Partner at LCF Law Group;
- Iryna Paliashvili, Acting President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council;
- Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the IBA;
- David Crane, Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone;
- Stephen Rotstain, Former President of the Canadian Bar Association.
The Board minutes outlined the following primary directions UBAHRI will focus on:
- Support for Accountability Efforts Regarding Crimes Committed in Ukraine:
- monitoring trials in war-related cases in Ukraine and analyzing judicial practices;
- advocating for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine;
- enhancing national criminal legislation to align with international treaties, customary law, and best practices;
- promoting amendments to the Rome Statute and advocating for its implementation in Ukraine.
- Support for the Implementation of Transitional Justice in Ukraine
- developing a transitional justice concept for Ukraine;
- conducting a series of consultations with key stakeholders on accountability and reparations as central pillars of transitional justice;
- promoting reconciliation and social cohesion as part of the transitional justice process;
- highlighting the role of women in conflict resolution.
- Strengthening the Capacity of Legal Professionals in Upholding the Rule of Law and Human Rights in Ukraine
- organizing the annual Human Rights Academy for legal professionals;
- analyzing judicial practices, law enforcement actions, and other authority practices to identify issues and develop recommendations;
- providing a platform for collaboration between Ukrainian legal professionals and international human rights and rule of law organizations, facilitating the exchange of best practices;
- hosting regular and ad hoc events for legal practitioners;
- supporting legal professionals at risk.
- Promoting Diversity, Non-Discrimination, and Inclusion in the Justice Sector
- analyzing judicial practices in Ukraine from a gender perspective;
- monitoring and evaluating gender balance, inclusion, and non-discrimination practices within the justice sector;
- exchanging best practices with European and other countries;
- organizing regular events on inclusion and non-discrimination.
The establishment of UBAHRI is an important step in strengthening Ukraine's legal culture. UBAHRI's activities are aimed at assisting lawyers in protecting human rights, upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine.
The Institute builds on the reputation of the Ukrainian Bar Association and its long-standing cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, the international community and various legal professions.
Since its establishment in June 2024, the UBAHRI has strived to serve as a platform for constructive dialogue between national and international partners.
More information about UBAHRI can be found at link.
To request additional details, please contact Dmytro Cheretun, UBA Communications Manager, at pr@uba.ua.
Tags: UBAHRI, UBA activities