Poland in key role in justice for war crimes in Ukraine

Poland has emerged as a significant supporter of international efforts to bring justice to victims of war crimes committed during Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

During a recent online briefing, Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, highlighted Poland’s contributions, including hosting Ukrainian refugees, aiding the International Criminal Court (ICC), and facilitating cooperation among European prosecutors to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes.

Poland’s efforts are particularly notable in the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, an initiative under the Council of Europe that allows Ukrainian victims and survivors to register their financial claims for harm suffered during the conflict. “Poland has also helped to create the Register of Damage for Ukraine… a mechanism for Ukrainian victims and survivors to register financial claims of harm,” Ambassador Van Schaack explained.

This initiative provides a platform for victims to seek reparations in the future once a formal claims commission is established. Poland has also supported the process financially, alongside the U.S. Government, with additional support from international legal experts.

Moreover, Poland was among the 40+ countries that referred the Ukraine situation to the ICC. As a result, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for several high-profile Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

Ambassador Van Schaack highlighted the significance of these developments, saying, “President Putin himself has been indicted… for the crime of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied and Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine into Russia.”

Poland’s commitment to justice includes its involvement in standing up a joint investigative team within Eurojust, the network of European prosecutors.