NGO Tribunal Participated in Chatham House Event on Accountability and Justice for Ukraine

On 12 May 2025, representatives of NGO Tribunal took part in the expert discussion “The Struggle for Justice in Ukraine: An Assessment of Russia’s Crimes and Options for Accountability”, held at Chatham House in London and online via Zoom.

The event took place against the backdrop of Ukraine’s unprecedented effort to prosecute more than 140,000 war crimes cases, highlighting how international legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms directly affect access to justice for victims and survivors of the war.

A central focus of the discussion was the use of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) by Russian forces. Participants referred to the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which concluded that sexual violence has been used systematically by Russian authorities as a method of torture in detention settings. The report confirms that CRSV affects both civilians and prisoners of war and constitutes a significant share of the war crimes currently under investigation and prosecution in Ukraine.

The discussion also addressed growing challenges to international justice mechanisms. In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order authorising sanctions against the International Criminal Court, including its Chief Prosecutor. At the same time, freezes on foreign aid have disrupted accountability and justice initiatives in Ukraine and other conflict-affected contexts. These developments raise serious concerns about the sustainability of international support for justice processes and the protection of victims’ rights.

During the event, speakers explored:

• The gendered impact of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine;

• Practical and innovative pathways to sustain transitional justice efforts amid shifting geopolitical realities;

• Growing threats to international justice and their implications for peace, accountability, and the rule of law in Ukraine.

The panel featured:

• Charu Lata-Hogg, Founder and Executive Director, All Survivors Project

• Khrystyna Kit, Founder and Chairwoman, Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association (JurFem)

• Oleksiy Sivak, Coordinator, Network of Ukrainian Men Who Survived Captivity and Torture (Alumni) (online)

• Kateryna Busol, Former Academy Associate, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House

Participation in this event forms part of NGO Tribunal’s ongoing advocacy and expert engagement, aimed at safeguarding international accountability mechanisms, strengthening survivor-centered justice approaches, and ensuring that the crime of aggression and related international crimes remain central to global policy and legal debates on Ukraine.