Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression: Delivering Justice and Protecting Human Rights Rights in the Context of Russia’s War Against Ukraine
4 July - 12:00 - 13:00
Side Event at the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Date and time: 4 July 2025, 12:00–13:00 CET
Venue: In person at Room XXIV, Palais des Nations
Organisers: Permanent Missions of Ukraine, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, International Bar Association, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, No Peace Without Justice
Background information
The ongoing full-scale war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in February 2022 has resulted in widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Atrocities committed against civilians – including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and unlawful deportations, have emphasized the urgent need for justice and accountability. The crime of aggression, as the leadership crime and the source of other international crimes committed in this context, must not go unpunished.
Ukraine, together with an expanding coalition of states and international legal experts, has been actively advocating for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. On 25 June 2025, an important step was taken with the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal. This landmark development demonstrates significant momentum towards ensuring justice for the victims of Russia’s aggression and reinforcing the global framework for accountability.
The discussion will focus on how the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine can effectively deliver justice, secure accountability, and contribute to the protection of human rights in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Objectives of the Event
• Present recent developments regarding the creation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
• Highlight the link between the crime of aggression and widespread human rights violations, emphasizing the need for international legal mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.
• Provide a platform for legal experts, government representatives, and civil society to exchange views on how the Tribunal can effectively deliver justice and accountability.
• Mobilize further support from UN member states, international organizations, and human rights defenders for the Tribunal and its mission.
Agenda
Moderator: Mr. Niccolò Figà Talamanca, Secretary General of No Peace Without Justice
Opening remarks: H.E. Mr. Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
Speakers:
• Dr. Mark Ellis, Executive Director, International Bar Association (online)
• Dr. Nataliia Hendel, Senior Researcher, Institute of Information, Security and Law of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine; expert, NGO Fundamental Research Support Fund
• Dr. Anton Korynevych, the Coordinator of the Core Group on the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, Director of the Department General for International Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (online)
• Dr. Dainius Žalimas, Member of the European Parliament, Professor of International and Constitutional Law at the Law Faculty of Vytautas Magnus University, Member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (online or in person TBC)
Closing remarks: H.E. Mr. Paul Bekkers, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
Q&A session
Co-Sponsors:
