EUAM Ukraine’s Head of Mission attends event focusing on documenting and investigating war crimes in Kyiv
July 28, 2023
EUAM Ukraine’s Head of Mission, Rolf Holmboe, said he felt honoured for having been invited to attend an event focusing on scientific publications on the issue of documenting and investigating war crimes at the Ukrainian National Academy of Internal Affairs in Kyiv (part of the Minister of Internal Affairs – MoIA) on 27 July.
Topics of the publications are the changes in Ukraine’s criminal laws implemented during martial law, the investigation of violations of the laws and customs of war and the guidelines for incorporating a victim-centred approach in pre-trial investigations.
Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the volume of horrendous crimes committed is huge. The perpetrators are often difficult to arrest, prosecute and convict.
Investigating international crimes is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and most important fields of criminal investigations.
According to the organisers, the purpose of the presentation was the scientific and methodical support of the activities of dedicated units of the National Police of Ukraine (NPU), and the improvement of the security sector personnel’s training under conditions of martial law.
This includes the changes in Ukraine’s criminal laws implemented during martial law and guidelines for incorporating a victim-centred approach in the investigation of war crimes.
“Ukrainian authorities are working very well investigating and prosecuting these crimes. However, the challenge is enormous and of course, many forms of support, also international support, are and will be required” said Rolf Holombe when talking to Ukrainian partners at the event. The Head of Mission underlined EUAM Ukraine’s full commitment towards the Mission’s Ukrainian counterparts, including the MoIA Academy.
As of this year, EUAM Ukraine has a team dedicated to supporting the investigation and prosecution of international crimes.
Providing strategic advice and training to its Ukrainian interlocutors, the Mission supports the investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed in the context of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.
The investigation and prosecution of war crimes committed in Ukraine will require years or even decades to be addressed.
Key topics included in the publications presented at the National Academy of Internal Affairs, are also highlighted in EUAM Ukraine’s training activities, including victim-centred approach, conflict related sexual violence, interactions with victims and witnesses, investigation of violations of the laws of war and changes in Ukraine’s criminal laws implemented during martial law.
Speaking to the audience at the National Academy of Internal Affairs, Rolf Holmboe stressed that one of his goals as EUAM Ukraine’s HoM is to take the Mission’s already strong commitment towards the Mission’s partners even further.
“Let me congratulate you for addressing the issue of war crimes investigation and prosecution whilst in the midst of a constant aggression”, said the Head of Mission.
