H.E. Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence; Prof Anne Sinnott, Deputy President of DCU and Prof Derek Hand, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, DCU.

DCU hosts major international conference on peace and accountability in Ukraine

27/02/2025

Dublin European Law Institute at Dublin City University calls for comprehensive accountability for Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine including the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, following the third Anniversary of Russia’s invasion

Today, 27 February 2025, the Dublin European Law Institute at Dublin City University (DCU) hosted a major international human rights conference on justice and accountability for the war in Ukraine. The event marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and is focussed on the role of Europe’s main intergovernmental human rights organisation, the Council of Europe (CoE).

Opening the Conference, Professor Anne Sinnott, Deputy President of Dublin City University said:

I am proud that DCU is leading the way in organising a Conference of such importance for international peace, security and the pursuit of justice at this critical juncture.

Since the war began, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed with almost 7 million Ukrainians seeking refuge predominantly in Europe, and approximately 100,000 in Ireland.

Speaking at the Conference, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne TD said:

Since Russia’s illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, indescribable suffering has been inflicted upon the Ukrainian people. Ireland is steadfast in its support for Ukraine, and we remain committed to working with our EU and global partners to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with international law.

The establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression within the Council of Europe is seen as one of the key means of holding Russia to account.

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjorn Berge emphasised:

The Council of Europe has an important role to play to achieve justice in Ukraine including through the European Court of Human Rights and the Register of Damage.

The Council of Europe also has the legal tools and the expertise to establish a Claims Commission and a Special Tribunal through which full accountability for Ukraine could be achieved.

Amongst the participants were the Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, and former President of the European Court of Human Rights, Síofra O’Leary. Poland’s Deputy Minister for Justice, Dariusz Mazur also addressed the conference. Other participants included civil society and academics from Ukraine, and across Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjorn Berge

The Conference was organised within the framework of the Dublin European Law Institute, which is increasing its focus on the legal and political challenges of securing human rights in areas of conflict in Europe.

Conference organiser, Dr Andrew Forde, Assistant Professor of European Human Rights Law at DCU said:

The pursuit of comprehensive accountability in Ukraine is not only essential for the people of Ukraine, it is the basis of long-term peace and stability in Europe. The international community cannot allow impunity for the crime of aggression, the ultimate breach of international law. Justice dies where impunity lies.

Prof Federico Fabbrini, Director of the Dublin European Law Institute added:

The Dublin European Law Institute at DCU is at the vanguard of examining some of Europe’s most complex legal and political questions. We aim to contribute to debates on Europe’s future, of which accountability in Ukraine is absolutely fundamental.

For more information on the DCU Dublin European Law Institute, visit the website here.