Crimes against humanity and the application of relevant international law in domestic courts

On 11-12 May 2026, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will host a seminar for Ukrainian legal professionals titled, “Crimes against humanity and the application of relevant international law in domestic courts.” 

The seminar—held in partnership with Ukraine’s Supreme Court, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision—assembles a mixed group of Ukrainian judges, prosecutors, and defence attorneys engaged in domestic international crimes cases, together with a group of scholars and practitioners from the International Criminal Court and European Court of Human Rights. 

Independent Commission reports from the United Nations document continued perpetration of international crimes in Ukraine, indicating increases in both sheer number and array. This has led to growing calls that Ukraine’s criminal justice system examine allegations of crimes against humanity in its domestic courts. 

To enhance legal professionals’ ability to apply international humanitarian law, the seminar will support participants’ analysis of elements of the crime against humanity of torture, together with consideration of relevant caselaw from international human rights law and international criminal law. The seminar also incorporates a moot court-style simulation to reinforce trial skills and fair trial considerations for prosecutors, defence counsel, and judges. 

ODIHR organizes this seminar series as an extension of its mandate to support OSCE participating States in meeting their rule of law commitments, including: the commitment to hold individuals personally accountable for war crimes and acts in violation of international humanitarian law (Stockholm, 1992); to enforce the strict observance of the norms of international humanitarian law, including the prosecution and punishment of those guilty of war crimes and other crimes against humanity (Rome, 1993); and to support defence counsel in ensuring the right to a fair trial and in the furtherance and protection of other human rights in the criminal justice system (Ljubljana 2005). 

Attendance at this meeting is by invitation only. For further information, please contact Christopher D. Russell, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer at christopher.russell@odihr.pl.