Ruby Mae Axelson, Gender and Child Justice Division Lead at Global Rights Compliance, attended the 8th IHSA 2025 Conference, held between 15 – 17 October in a multi-sited format at Marmara University in Istanbul and the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen, Norway. The event brought together humanitarian practitioners, lawyers, academics, civil society and other stakeholders to discuss justice and human rights in humanitarian contexts.
During the panel titled ‘The Forgotten Affected Population: Recognising and Accounting for Crimes against Persons with Disabilities’ Ruby emphasised the disproportionate and unique impact the conflict in Ukraine has had, and continues to have, on persons with disabilities, particularly children. While the true breadth and scale of crimes committed against persons with disabilities is unknown, there have been reports of the killing or injuring of persons with disabilities by the Russian Armed Forces, including as a result of aerial attacks; extrajudicial executions, torture and ill-treatment, and arbitrary detentions; sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); forced displacement, particularly the forcible transfer and deportation of children with disabilities; and significant and widespread attacks on healthcare facilities which have a disproportionate impact.
However, despite these severe harms, persons with disabilities often remain invisible within accountability processes. Historically, violations committed against persons with disabilities are left unacknowledged by international justice mechanisms and their experiences and perspectives sidelined throughout the justice process.
Among other recommendations, Ruby highlighted that disability-inclusive justice requires active integration of disability perspectives at every stage of investigations, prosecutions, and victim support. GRC’s work in Ukraine supports the Office of the Prosecutor General, including the Victim and Witness Coordination Center, to implement disability-inclusive and survivor-centered processes, as they seek to develop best practice where it has previously been missing internationally.
“Disability-inclusive justice is not a side issue in Ukraine. It is a measure of whether we are, collectively, truly committed to universal human rights and equal dignity for all victims of war.”
— Ruby Mae Axelson, Global Rights Compliance
The conference discussion underscored the need for systemic reform, deinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine, and deliberate inclusion of persons with disabilities in justice processes, ensuring that victims, including deported children, are recognised, supported, and able to participate fully.