Quick Guides
This page contains a collection of quick guides on specific international forums for justice and accountability relating to atrocity crimes and human rights violations being perpetrated in Ukraine. Click on the images below to access each resource. This is a continually updating page—be sure to check back for additional resources.
United Nations Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council (HRC) investigates human rights violations and issues non-binding resolutions. The Human Rights Council does not have any enforcement powers and cannot sanction Member States, but its actions can pressure Member States into acting and can have other tangible consequences. For example, a HRC resolution may prompt a Member State to take action to address issues raised by the resolution. A HRC resolution may also prompt Member States to contribute resources to a fellow Member State, to help that Member State achieve the objectives recommended by the resolution. Member States may also follow a resolution’s recommendations on how to hold a Member State or other party accountable for violating human rights.
United Nations General Assembly
Though the UNGA is not likely a forum that will be effective in seeking redress for war crimes or violations of human rights on an individual level, the UNGA can be effective in bringing attention to particular types of crimes and violations.
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court (“Court”), is one of the six main organs of the United Nations and is based in The Hague in the Netherlands. The Court hears and decides legal disputes between States, based on the voluntary participation of the States concerned and gives advisory opinions on legal matters for the UN organs and agencies. In the past, the Court has heard disputes concerning the violation of human rights during armed conflict and whether States can be held responsible for genocide.
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court ("ICC") was created by the Rome Statute as an international tribunal with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for crimes, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The ICC is based in The Hague, Netherlands.