Representatives of the Criminal Cassation Court of the Supreme Court participated in a seminar on issues of international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and international crimes

The President of the Criminal Cassation Court within the Supreme Court, Oleksandr Marchuk, and Supreme Court judges in the Criminal Cassation Court – Volodymyr Korol, Alla Makarovets, Viacheslav Nastavnyi, and Serhii Yeremeichuk – took part in a seminar for judges of the southwestern region of Ukraine titled “Practical Aspects of International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Judicial Consideration of Cases Involving International Crimes”, which was held in the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi.  

Participants in the event discussed current issues regarding the application of norms of international criminal law and international humanitarian law, taking into account the practice of international criminal courts and tribunals.

The seminar program covered, in particular, aspects of evaluating evidence in cases involving international crimes, specific features of the legal qualification of torture and inhuman treatment, the application of the principles of distinction and proportionality, as well as precautionary measures in international humanitarian law. Participants examined practical cases related to international criminal law, including the case of the former deputy commander of the Russian sabotage-assault group "Torden".

The President of the Criminal Cassation Court of the Supreme Court, Oleksandr Marchuk, emphasized that Ukrainian courts today are dealing with categories of proceedings and norms that were not previously applied in national practice.

“To consider such proceedings in compliance with the highest standards of justice, we must study the experience of colleagues who have already worked on such cases. It is precisely seminars involving judges and international experts that provide an opportunity to exchange experience and avoid mistakes in future work,” he noted.

The Head of the Criminal Cassation Court of the Supreme Court noted that war crimes are committed throughout the territory of Ukraine, not only in regions of active hostilities. In accordance with the norms of procedural legislation, such proceedings may be considered at the place where the crime was completed, which necessitates the readiness of courts in all regions of the country to handle this category of cases.

Participation in the seminar contributed to deepening the professional competencies of judges and will serve as an important component in ensuring the uniformity of case law, the reasoned nature of judicial decisions, and the administration of fair justice.

The seminar was organized by EUAM in cooperation with the Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal and the National School of Judges of Ukraine.

Photo courtesy of the organisers.