Ukraine
09 Apr 2026
Support to Ukrainian National Prosecutors and CSOs in Building Strategic Cases under Universal Jurisdiction
Given the volume of international crimes committed in the context of the conflict in Ukraine, there is a necessity for international and domestic complementary efforts in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, towards seeking comprehensive justice for victims. This includes the exercise of Universal Jurisdiction by third States to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of atrocity crimes. GRC is therefore engaged in work aimed at laying the building blocks for advancing Universal Jurisdiction cases related to international crimes committed in Ukraine. GRC practitioners seek to identify and advance viable cases for strategic litigation in third States under the principle of Universal jurisdiction while ensuring the rights and perspectives of victims are centralised, by supporting Ukrainian national prosecutors, civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders, including through the development of resources and tools and provision of strategic and policy-based advice.
Our Services and Activities
- Strengthening knowledge and use of universal jurisdiction: tailored expertise and training to strengthen knowledge amongst the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine (OPG) and Ukrainian civil society regarding the use of universal jurisdiction as an avenue to achieve accountability for crimes (including potential third States and their laws and policies regarding the application of universal jurisdiction; managing victim expectations; and the process of commencing litigation pursuant to the principle of universal jurisdiction).
- Strategic advice and support: the provision of legal advice, support, mentoring, tools and resources to the OPG and civil society actors on identifying and building viable universal jurisdiction cases and building sustainable engagements, partnerships and effective cooperation with civil society, international organisations and foreign partners in this regard.
Deliverables
Practitioners’ Handbook on Extraterritorial or Universal Jurisdiction to Pursue Accountability for International Crimes Committed in Ukraine
Practitioners’ Handbook on Extraterritorial or Universal Jurisdiction to Pursue Accountability for International Crimes Committed in Ukraine: The Practitioners’ Handbook details the various principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction, with a focus on the type of jurisdictional requirements generally seen in domestic legislations. It also includes an analysis of the third States available for universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction cases, and their domestic laws and practice which facilitate the opening of such cases. The Handbook is available in Ukrainian and English.
Universal Jurisdiction Map
Universal Jurisdiction Map: An interactive map that provides an overview of legal proceedings regarding the conflict in Ukraine brought before national authorities on the basis of universal jurisdiction. The map aims to serve as a tool for practitioners from across the spectrum – including civil society and the justice sector – in tracking legal complaints and cases concerning facts and perpetrators connected to events in Ukraine following the occupation of Crimea and Donbas in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022. The map is available in Ukrainian and English.
Strategic Policy
Development of a strategic policy and action plan to foster a positive complementarity approach to accountability efforts between Ukrainian national authorities and the international community in the fight against impunity for core international crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine.
Partners
This project was part of the ‘Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine’ consortium programme. The programme was funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), in partnership with the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, the Center for International Legal Cooperation (CILC), and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC).
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