Between Duty and Dilemma: EUAM Training Explores Ethical Dimensions of Prosecuting Collaboration in Ukraine
March 18, 2025
Addressing collaboration during times of war is deeply challenging, requiring careful balancing of justice, national security, and human rights. In Ukraine, ensuring fair and effective prosecution of collaborative activities is essential – not just for justice, but also to uphold public trust and safeguard human rights.
Responding to this sensitive need, EUAM Ukraine, in partnership with the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and the Training Centre of Prosecutors of Ukraine (PTCU), conducted a specialized training session from 11 to 14 March 2025. The training titled “The Prosecution for Collaborative Activities in Compliance with International Standards” was part of the Mission’s Criminal Justice Reform initiative and aimed to deepen the expertise of Ukrainian prosecutors in handling these complex national security cases.
Throughout four intensive days, 21 Ukrainian prosecutors explored critical issues surrounding collaborationism – ranging from understanding the nuances of international humanitarian law (IHL) and safeguarding civilian rights in occupied territories, to mastering the procedural intricacies of conducting criminal proceedings in absentia. Participants were also introduced to practical methodologies for utilizing open-source intelligence (OSINT), crucial for effective prosecution.
EUAM Ukraine’s Legal Reform Officer and the trainer, Ivanna Ilchenko, emphasised the importance of this specialised training: “Effective prosecution of collaboration requires precise legal skills and sensitivity to human rights standards. Our aim is to equip prosecutors with practical knowledge to ensure transparent and fair justice, reinforcing public trust in Ukraine’s judicial institutions during this challenging period.”
The training initiative is part of EUAM Ukraine’s continuous efforts to enhance the Ukrainian justice sector’s professional competence, ensuring it operates in accordance with European standards.
