UN Commission recommends that Ukraine establish victim registry

The relevant statement was made by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (UN Commission), an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The Commission recommends that Ukraine, as a preliminary step towards a comprehensive reparations program, establish a victim registry as an ‘institutional portal’ for better coordination of available government services to victims,” the report states.

Additionally, the UN Commission suggests that, in light of its operational roadmap on prioritzed multisectoral mental health and psychosocial support actions, Ukraine comprehensively address mental health and psychosocial needs resulting from the armed conflict by tackling access and allocation of resources to the relevant services as well as enhancing their institutional coordination, legal regulation, monitoring, and evaluation.

According to the UN Commission, Ukraine should also harmonise its legislation related to war crimes where it is not in conformity with international standards, and amend its criminal code to clarify the definition of ‘collaborative activity’ to avoid legal uncertainty and harm to social cohesion.

“Taking into account both the enormous case load and limited resources, [the Commission recommends that Ukraine] develop an investigatory and prosecutorial strategy, which will prioritise cases on the basis of clear criteria and ensure due process and transparent monitoring,” the document reads.

A reminder that, on March 16, 2023, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine issued a report declaring that Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may amount to crimes against humanity.