Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Achieving justice for atrocity crimes and human rights breaches committed during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a complex and formidable task. This article examines key legal challenges in achieving justice for victims of Russia’s war and discusses the significance of accountability for atrocity crimes and other breaches of international law. Four aspects of the accountability process are in focus, namely: 1) War crime trials in national courts (in Ukraine and abroad), 2) Investigations by the International Criminal Court, 3) The establishment of a special tribunal for crimes of aggression, and 4) Russia’s responsibility as a state. The fragmented nature of existing international law mechanisms complicates the task of achieving comprehensive justice and securing reparations for the large-scale destruction and widespread harm caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Justice, however, demands that the task is achieved. Justice is crucial for victims of atrocity crimes and human rights violations committed in Ukraine. In addition, accountability for aggression against Ukraine is decisive for the future effectiveness of international law rules designed to protect states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. What is more, accountability processes before international courts and tribunals can help to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda, key tools of Russian hybrid warfare.
Institution: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407816176