Victims First: Ukraine’s War Crimes Investigators and Prosecutors Learn More About the Victim-Centred Approach
March 04, 2025
The scale of international crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine means thousands of victims need legal protection and support. Their first point of contact with law enforcement is often the police. Prosecutors play a key role too, making crucial decisions in investigations and coordinating with other actors. How these professionals engage with victims can shape their experience of the justice process – and their trust in the system.
Recognising the need to ensure that victims are treated with dignity and respect in the criminal process, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine, together with the Prosecutor’s Training Centre of Ukraine and National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, organised two training sessions throughout February. These sessions focused on a victim-centred approach to handling international crimes. National police investigators and prosecutors from across Ukraine came to Kyiv to enhance their knowledge and skills.
The training addressed key aspects of this approach, including victims’ rights under EU standards, protection from secondary and repeated victimisation, and best European practices for integrating a victim-centred approach into law enforcement and prosecution of international crimes.
“The victim-centred approach is not a new phenomenon, but it has gained particular relevance in the context of war crimes,” said Veronika Plotnikova, Head of the Coordination Centre for Victims and Witnesses at the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, who led sessions as a trainer and shared her expertise with participants. “The victim in the proceedings should not only be a source of evidence but also a person who is treated with respect.” Investigators and prosecutors, she noted, play a crucial role in applying this approach, making it a cornerstone for building confidence between the state and society.
For EUAM, supporting Ukrainian authorities in upholding justice is important. “Justice begins with how victims are treated. Their rights, dignity, and well-being must be at the centre of every step in the criminal process,” said Ola Quarnström, EUAM’s Senior Adviser on Victims’ Rights. “Through these training sessions, we aim to equip investigators and prosecutors with the knowledge and tools to ensure that victims are heard, and that their rights are protected, and respected. To achieve this, we share the best European practices that can support the work of Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors.”
Participants appreciated the international expertise provided by EUAM trainers, especially given that the Mission is one of the implementing entities of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA). The insights from Claudio Pala, EUAM’s Senior Adviser on the Prosecution of International Crimes and Deputy Lead Coordinator of ACA, helped them understand how international courts engage with victims and what lessons can be applied in Ukraine.
As Ukraine seeks accountability for war crimes committed by Russia, strengthening the justice system is critical. By fostering a victim-centred approach, EUAM is supporting its partners in building a system that not only delivers justice but also reinforces public trust in the rule of law.
