GRC conducted a series of workshops with Ukrainian prosecutors and investigators as well as with Ukrainian civil society organisations to discuss child-friendly justice and accountability for conflict-related crimes against and affecting children (CAAC) in Ukraine.
The workshop for prosecutors and investigators was held on 10-11 April, bringing together Ukrainian practitioners working at both the central and regional levels (including representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor General and Regional Prosecutors Offices) as well as international experts from the Atrocity Crimes Prevention Group for Ukraine (ACA). Topics of training and discussion included the legal framework of CAAC, developing strategies and investigative methodologies to address these crimes, and assessing children’s best interests. The ultimate aim of the workshop was to gather insights and recommendations to enhance the strategic vision and operational implementation of the investigative and prosecutorial work of Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors pursuing juvenile justice matters.
On 12-13 April GRC further conducted a workshop with civil society actors aimed at advancing discussions about how these organisations can support the documentation and investigation of CAAC in the context of the ongoing conflict, and promote child-friendly, trauma-informed and victim-centered best practices.
The workshops combined roundtable-discussions with specialised training. Participants were provided an overview of the legal framework relevant to CAAC and of the principles of child-friendly justice, by experts including GRC’s Ruby Axelson (Senior Legal Adviser, MATRA-Ukraine project Lead) and Javier Pérez Salmerón (Mobile Justice Team, Child Justice Expert). Forensic psychiatrist Dina Al Shafie ledsessionson trauma-informed approaches to engaging with children victims and witnesses and police expert Liz Berglund provided training on child-friendly interviewing. There was also a presentation and discussion on the ICC policy on Children and the ICC’s experience of engaging with children victims and witnesses.
The workshop series was organised by Global Rights Compliance, with the support of GRC and T.M.C. Asser Instituut’s MATRA-Ukraine Project funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.