On February 10, 2025, an online discussion was held on the topic “Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: where are we now?”.

The co-organizers were Ukrainian Bar Association and UBA Human Rights Institute, Global Accountability Network (GAN), International Bar Association (IBA), International Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA International), Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and Robert H. Jackson Center.

The purpose of the event was to discuss, together with leading legal experts and policymakers in international law, the progress in the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The event was moderated by Inna Liniova, International Operations Advisor of the UBA. The webinar was opened by Mykola Stetsenko, UBA President, Managing Partner at AVELLUM, and Carlos Ramos-Mrosovsky, Chair of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association.

The following speakers participated in the discussion:

• Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Agent of Ukraine before the International Court of Justice;
• Dr Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the IBA;
• Kirsty Sutherland, Co-Chair of the War Crimes Committee of the IBA;
• Professor David M. Crane, former Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Founder of the GAN;
• Ambassador Hans Corell, Former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel of the United Nations;
• Ambassador David J. Scheffer, International Francqui Professor, KU Leuven, Belgium (Spring 2022), Professor of Practice, Arizona State University, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations;
• Hon. Professor Irwin Cotler, International Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, an Emeritus Professor of Law at McGill University, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and long-time Member of Parliament, and an international human rights lawyer.

During the discussion, the experts pay attention to the tribunal’s potential structure, the question of trial in absentia, the problem of immunity and others.

A significant point raised is the need for broad international support, the establishment of a strong legal basis, and the operational independence of the tribunal to effectively serve its purpose.

In conclusion, the establishment of the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine represents a significant step towards justice and accountability in international law. The discussions reflect a strong consensus on the need for a robust legal framework that addresses both the challenges and opportunities in prosecuting acts of aggression. The establishment of the tribunal is not only a response to the ongoing conflict but also a commitment to uphold the rule of law and deter future violations of international norms.

We invite you to watch video of the event:

Tags: UBA activities, tribunal, UBA events