Oleksiy Shevchuk called for the establishment of a training center in Ukraine to prepare specialists for the International Space Station
Oleksiy Shevchuk, a partner and spokesperson at Barristers Law Firm, emphasized the need to build domestic human resources capacity for work at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In an interview with ZIB, the expert emphasized that Ukraine must transition from the role of aid recipient to that of a provider of unique expertise for global justice.
According to the lawyer, the state’s presence in international judicial bodies should not be limited to mere diplomatic gestures.
“Ukraine must offer systematic expertise and professionals capable of working effectively within the ICC structure,” noted Oleksiy Shevchuk, emphasizing the strategic importance of this issue.
An analysis of ICC vacancies indicates an urgent need not only for judges but also for highly specialized experts.
International justice requires OSINT coordinators, language analysts, financial experts, and cyber intelligence specialists, of whom there is currently a critical shortage in Ukraine.
Shevchuk noted that the extensive experience working with the European Court of Human Rights cannot be fully transferred to the practice of the ICC.
Although the country has recognized professionals such as Ivan Lishchyna and Elvira Lazarenko, criminal proceedings in The Hague require a fundamentally different procedural logic.
To address this issue, the lawyer proposes establishing a specialized training center.
Such an institution should train practicing lawyers, technical staff, and analysts, as well as ensure that specialists adapt to the strict language standards of international tribunals.
“We have a strong academic foundation in Ukraine: Professors Senatorova, Gutnik, and Pashkovsky are scholars we can rely on,” added the spokesperson for Barristers Law Firm.
However, academic knowledge must be backed by a practical team capable of immediately integrating into the court’s work processes.
As a successful example of such a model, Shevchuk cited the experience of Canada, where the Canadian Centre for International Justice operates.
Ukraine could implement a similar project through a partnership between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the country’s leading academic institutions.
According to the expert, international criminal law will become one of the defining fields of global politics in the 21st century.
Due to the circumstances of the war, the focus of legal activity is shifting toward The Hague, which requires Ukraine to take concrete, rather than symbolic, steps regarding personnel matters.
As a reminder, renowned lawyer and candidate for the position of judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Oleksiy Shevchuk noted that the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine presents a unique opportunity to reform the global justice system.
The Netherlands is preparing to defend the ICC against potential U.S. sanctions.
