Program participants will discuss creative ways to address such proceedings: IBA executive director
Through a collaboration between the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA), a new pilot mentoring program seeks to provide intensive, tailored, and practical guidance and support to legal professionals dealing with war crime proceedings in Ukraine.
According to a press release, the IBA–UBA partnership aims to leverage the capabilities of international humanitarian law and criminal law authorities who have handled initial scoping meetings with three war crime case participants: a judge, a prosecutor, and a defence lawyer.
“The legal issues being faced in Ukraine are at the forefront of global jurisprudence, making it essential for experienced professionals to collaborate and share their expertise,” said George Artley, IBA legal manager and one of the program’s lead coordinators, in the press release. “This is a vital undertaking the IBA is very proud to be positioned to facilitate.”
“The principles of justice, the rule of law and the international legal order are under threat, and this mentoring scheme is a step toward reinforcing those values,” added Jaime Carey, IBA president. “I am confident it will be a great success.”
In its press release, the IBA explained that the new program emphasizes confidentiality, considering the sensitive nature of war crime proceedings, and responds to the demand for international support as Ukraine continues to contend with justice and accountability issues arising from the country’s current conflict.
Mark Ellis, IBA executive director and one of the program’s mentors, noted that the new initiative seeks to help Ukrainian legal professionals strive for a legally resilient and robust future for their nation.
According to Ellis, the program’s participants will discuss written works on real-life war crime proceedings, judicial decision-making, complex legal issues, and creative ways to prosecute and defend these cases.
“Assembling legal frameworks that protect justice and human dignity, while laying the foundation for future peace and stability, demands a deep understanding of both criminal and international humanitarian law,” said Mark Ellis, IBA executive director and one of the program’s mentors, in the press release.
While initially envisioned as a three-month pilot, Ellis expressed the hope of making the program permanent in the future.
In its press release, the IBA listed the following as mentors of the new program, apart from Ellis:
“This initiative is a valuable opportunity for the IBA’s community of international human rights experts to connect directly with legal professionals who need their help on the ground in Ukraine,” Artley said in the IBA’s press release.
“Building on our efforts since the start of the war, the IBA is reaffirming its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s legal community during this critical period through the launch of this new mentoring programme,” Ellis said.
“It is heartening that the IBA’s ongoing assistance to its members in Ukraine, the country’s wider legal profession and our productive collaboration with the Ukrainian Bar Association are so well received,” Carey added.
