Event in The Hague discusses justice for children in wartime

The event titled “Global Dialogue on Justice for Children in Armed Conflict: Perspectives and Strategies in Ukraine and Beyond” was held within the framework of the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court, organized by Global Rights Compliance, organization of international lawyers, an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague reports

The event was attended by representatives from Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, and Combia, who came together to discuss the urgent problem of crimes against children in conflict zones and their impact on the future generation.

Read also: Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure disrupt food supplies, destroy healthcare system, environment – Global Rights Compliance (GRC)

Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Viktoriia Litvinova, emphasized the importance of the Strategic Plan for Prosecuting Crimes against Children in Ukraine. The plan was develed in coeration with Global Rights Compliance within the framework of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. It creates practical guidelines for determining priorities in investigating crimes committed against children in wartime.

“No child in Ukraine has been untouched by Russia's aggressive war. they are not only direct victims of atrocities but also witnesses to horrific crimes. Many have also faced the trauma of displacement. for the past 3 years, 1710 children have been injured, and 593 have tragically lost their lives,” Litvinova noted.

The importance of integrating civil society data into justice mechanisms was also emphasized. The Deputy Head of the Analytical Department at the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Aksana Filipishyna, reported that as of November 28, more than 81,000 cases of possible war crimes committed by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine were registered in their database. Law enforcement bodies, including the Prosecutor General's Office, have access to the databases of each NGO coalition, she noted.

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In turn, Ruby Mae Axelson, Head of Gender and Child Justice Division at Global Rights Compliance, emphasized the importance of recognizing that there is still a serious gap in a joint response to crimes committed against children in terms of bringing perpetrators to justice.

The international community must ensure an apprriate legal response to these crimes, prioritizing the needs of children and recognizing their unique experiences of suffering, she stressed.

“It is incumbent upon us, as the international community, to ensure our responses to atrocities center the needs of children and seek to highlight the multiple and differentiated suffering of all children impacted,” said Axelson.

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The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands with the support from the Eurean Union, demonstrated significant progress in develing innovative justice strategies for children in armed conflict. Participants discussed best practices from different jurisdictions and emphasized the importance of a histic approach to justice that includes not only prosecuting perpetrators but also actively assisting victims of crimes, including children.

The dialogue, initiated by Global Rights Compliance, reaffirmed the global commitment to protecting children’s rights and strengthening accountability amid armed conflict. It was also an important step in raising awareness of the need for a comprehensive and child-friendly approach in international justice systems.

As Ukrinform reported, the organization of international lawyers Global Rights Compliance emphasized that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the aggressors have been targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, which complicates food supplies and destroys the environment.