Preserving Evidence of International Crimes: Discussion at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

The Faculty of Law at NaUKMA hosted representatives of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the eyeWitness to Atrocities initiative.

What was discussed?

IBA experts shared about the organization’s work in Ukraine — over 270 initiatives, including memoranda with the Prosecutor General’s Office, training programs for lawyers, and support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The eyeWitness team presented their mobile application, which enables the documentation of war crimes in a way that photos and videos can carry legal weight. Evidence gathered through the app is already being used in criminal proceedings in Ukraine.

Students raised questions not only about the technical aspects of the app, but also about broader meanings: what happens to evidence after it is collected, how it can serve for compensation and the restoration of historical memory. They also discussed global challenges — how to keep the world’s attention on Ukraine, why the short memory of the international community can be dangerous, and how technology helps to fight impunity.

Why was this important?

For our community, the meeting was not only a chance to learn about new technologies but also to reflect more deeply on what justice means in its different dimensions. It showed that future lawyers are ready to ask difficult questions — and seek answers.

The event was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the Faculty of Law and the Department of International and European Law at NaUKMA with the International Bar Association. It became another opportunity to bridge students’ education with the practice of international experts.

Our sincere thanks to the International Bar Association and eyeWitness to Atrocities for an open and inspiring dialogue at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

For those who could not join us live, the full recording of the event is available

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