Domestic war crimes adjudication in Ukraine: A driver of international law and justice

As part of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, ODIHR is bringing together legal experts and practitioners to discuss how war crimes cases heard by Ukraine’s courts can contribute to international law and justice.

Judges hearing these cases must apply domestic law alongside international humanitarian and criminal law, while safeguarding the right to a fair trial. The discussion will examine the relationship between national and international proceedings, the documentation and legal qualification of crimes, developments in Ukrainian jurisprudence, and the role of defence counsel. Speakers will also consider what Ukraine’s experience means for accountability efforts beyond its borders.

The event forms part of ODIHR’s work to support the adjudication of international crimes in Ukraine and the application of international law in domestic courts.

• Dr. Paweł Wiliński, Professor, Faculty of Law and Administration, Adam Mickiewicz University; Founder, Project Sunflowers
• Dr. Kateryna Busol, Associate Professor of International and European Law; Head of the Ukraine Programme, International Center for Transitional Justice
• Wayne Jordash KC, President, Global Rights Compliance; Deputy Lead, Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group
• Judge Natalia Marchuk, Supreme Court of Ukraine (joining remotely)

Moderator: Christopher Russell, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer

The side event is open to registered participants of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. See the conference page for participation information.

For questions about this side event, please contact Christopher Russell, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer at christopher.russell@osce.org.