A conference room in Warsaw was over the course of two days transformed into a simulated courtroom with the structure of actual international criminal proceedings.
Leading international law experts Sir Howard Morrison, David Re, Filippo De Minicis, and Kirsty Sutherland served as judges, prosecutor, and defense counsel during the exercise.
Fourteen legal professionals from DIGNITY’s partners in Ukraine: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine, and Ukraine Without Torture stepped into the roles of witnesses and an alleged perpetrator to gain first-hand insight into how evidence is presented, assessed and challenged in court proceedings.
A full trail with reflections
First, the two-day simulated trial opened with a witness pre-trial interview led by the prosecutor. The task for the participants was to observe the interview, identify methodological mistakes, and then practice proper questioning techniques in small groups.
Second, the exercise included the presentation of charges; opening statements by the prosecution and defense; direct and cross-examinations of witnesses and the accused; closing arguments; judicial deliberation; and delivery of the verdict. While the judges deliberated, participants discussed potential verdicts based on the available evidence.
The simulated trial concluded with a verdict of not guilty due to evidentiary shortcomings. This was followed by an in-depth discussion with the experts on issues of international criminal law and evidentiary standards.
»This was the most useful and impactful event for me. I now better understand what needs to be done differently to strengthen cases. I will pay much closer attention to details, and I am very grateful for the expertise and experience shared, « says Tamila Bespala, Legal Coordinator at Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group.
DIGNITY is supporting partners in documenting alleged atrocities
As Ukraine continues its pursuit of justice for alleged atrocities committed during the war, building strong, evidence-based cases is essential. Exercises like the simulated trial help ensure that documentation efforts meet international legal standards reinforcing the country’s ability to seek accountability, uphold human rights, and contribute to the global fight against impunity.
»Our partners have collected substantial information that could support allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Through continuous capacity-building support, including this simulated trial, documenters can better understand how the information they collect may be assessed before the International Criminal Court, « says Tetyana Sokolan, Project Manager for Eastern Europe at DIGNITY.
DIGNITY has worked in Ukraine since 2019 and since July 2022 specifically on accountability issues. Together with partners, we focus on documenting international crimes, grave human rights violations and providing mental health support.
