«A step towards creating an effective system of support for victims and witnesses». Roman Nekoliak about the event «How to ensure protection against re-traumatisation of victims of war crimes»

The European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM), together with the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) and in partnership with the Coordination Centre for the Support of Victims and Witnesses of War and Other International Crimes at the Office of the Prosecutor General, successfully held an event on March 27 aimed at preventing the re-traumatization of vulnerable victims against the background of a full-scale invasion. The Center for Civil Liberties was represented by Roman Nekoliak, coordinator of international cooperation at the Center for Civil Liberties.

The event was opened with speeches by Ms. Lynn Sheehan, representative of EUAM Ukraine, and Ms. Marieta Tosheva, EU Coordinator for Victims’ Rights.

The first session was dedicated to measures to prevent re-traumatization of vulnerable victims. Participants discussed the topic with experts: Alma Taso-Delkovic, Advisory Group on the Most Serious International Crimes (ACA) for Ukraine and victim support expert, Veronika Plotnikova, the Head of the Coordination Centre for the Support of Victims and Witnesses of War and Other International Crimes at the Office of the Prosecutor General, and Yuriy Belousov, Head of the War Crimes Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine. Representatives of the NGO SEMA Ukraine joined the discussion and shared collected testimonies of victims of Russian war crimes.

The second session was dedicated to discussions concerning the issues and best practices of preventing re-traumatization. This part of the event was attended by representatives of the civil society sector: Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Director of the UHHRU, Ula Kvarnstrom, EUAM expert, representatives of the judiciary and the National Police of Ukraine.

«The lively discussions of more than 60 participants resulted in generalizations and recommendations. Events of such a format are a step towards creating an effective system of support for victims and witnesses aimed at their recovery and protection of their rights. The Center for Civil Liberties thanks the organizers for their significant contribution to the development of justice and human rights in Ukraine», — said Roman Nekoliak.