Restoring Justice for Ukraine Conference
On 2 April 2024, the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission co-hosted the international conference ‘Restoring Justice for Ukraine’ at the World Forum in The Hague. Foreign ministers and justice ministers from countries involved in the fight for justice for Ukraine since the start of the conflict voiced their long-term support. Victims must be compensated for the harm they have suffered, and impunity for the crimes committed must be tackled.
*Inspirational music plays*
On-screen text: Restoring Justice for Ukraine.
The Hague, The Netherlands, April second, 2024.
We hear and see dignitaries of different countries.
Dignitary 1:
We are here today because of our shared beliefs, our belief in justice, our belief that crimes cannot go unpunished.
Dignitary 2:
It is crystal clear that there can be no lasting peace without justice.
*Inspirational music continues*
On-screen text: Restore justice.
Dignitary 3:
We must ensure comprehensive accountability, even while the aggression is still ongoing.
Dignitary 4:
Mother of all the crimes, the crime of aggression, will not go unpunished.
*Inspirational music continues*
Dignitary 5:
Weapons give physical protection, but it is justice that restores the sense of security to life.
Dignitary 6:
I think the Dialogue Group, that I will come to in a moment, really was an innovative solution.
Dignitary 7:
From almost the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, one of the most challenging issues was coordination. The Dialogue Group has a potential to become a solution here too.
Dignitary 8:
Defeating Russia in the courtrooms and on the battlefield is the only way to deliver a just and lasting peace.
Dignitary 9:
I am happy to announce today that the Netherlands stands ready to host the future compensation mechanism here in The Hague.
Dignitary 10:
Your solidarity with the people of Ukraine is a beacon of hope in our nation's darkest times.
Dignitary 11:
Let us move forward with determination, courage, and shared commitment to create a world where impunity for international crimes are relics of the past.
Dignitary 12:
The Register of Damage for Ukraine is vital to achieve that.
Dignitary 13:
With great pride and an equally great weight of responsibility, I announce that the Register of Damage for Ukraine is now open for submission of claims.
Dignitary 1:
Already more than 100 claims have been filed. And the numbers are rising by the hour. The road to accountability is a long one. We have to walk it together. Only then we can achieve justice and eradicate impunity.
*Applause*
On-screen text: Restoring Justice for Ukraine.
The Hague, The Netherlands, April second, 2024.
*Applause fades*
The conference was chaired by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hanke Bruins Slot, the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, the Dutch Minister for Justice and Security, Dilan Yeşilgöz, and the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders.
Speakers included Prosecutor Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the President of Eurojust Ladislav Hamran and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić.
Photos from the conference
View and download photos from the Restoring Justice for Ukraine Conference on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Flickr page.
Aims of the conference
The conference had two aims. The first was to take stock of the substantial progress made so far in investigating crimes, prosecuting offenders and coordinating international efforts to this end. The second aim was to achieve further progress on the objectives laid out in President Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan, on which – at Ukraine’s request – the Netherlands is playing a leading role. The objectives are:
- support for Ukraine for the investigation and prosecution of international crimes, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity, at national level;
- the investigation and prosecution of international crimes at international level, including the crime of aggression;
- reparation for all types of harm suffered as a result of the Russian invasion;
- international coordination of investigation and prosecution, interstate cooperation, cooperation between states and the ICC and Eurojust, and information-sharing between the countries and organisations working to achieve justice for Ukraine.
Participants
Participants included representatives of the Netherlands, Ukraine, the European Commission and a large number of countries that have committed themselves to the objectives of this conference. In addition, attendees included representatives of the ICC, the Council of Europe, the Register of Damage for Ukraine, Eurojust, the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the Ukraine Joint Investigation Team and various Ukrainian non-governmental organisations.
Over 60 countries that have worked to achieve justice for Ukraine over the past two years were invited, including the member states of the European Union and the Council of Europe, and member states of the core group on the creation of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
