On 12 March, Ghent University hosted an open lecture dedicated to the issues of reparations and restoring justice following Russia’s aggression. The event brought together magister students specialising in international law and human rights, as well as colleagues interested in international justice and compensation mechanisms for Ukraine.
Key Topics of the Lecture
• International Mechanisms for Restoring Justice. What tools already exist, and how can they be used to ensure Russia’s accountability?
• The Register of Damage for Ukraine. How does this initiative fit into the broader compensation mechanism, and what could be the next steps?
• The New UN Resolution. Will it change the international perception of Russia, and what implications will it have for holding the aggressor accountable?
• Frozen Assets of Russian and Belarusian Oligarchs. Is there political will for their confiscation and transfer in favour of Ukraine?
Key Questions from Students
The discussion was lively, with students raising several crucial questions reflecting their desire to understand the complexities of international legal processes:
❓ Are there real chances of confiscating Belarus’s frozen assets?
❓ If the ICC and ICJ show weaknesses, what alternative mechanisms could be more effective?
❓ How can international law adapt to new challenges in ensuring justice?
❓ Which countries could serve as examples in the matter of compensations for Ukraine?
❓ How does U.S. policy influence global accountability processes?
Main Message of the Event
“The fight for justice is not just about Ukraine—it concerns the entire international community. An aggressor cannot remain unpunished, and international justice must be a functional mechanism, not an abstraction. Whether the existing mechanisms will be implemented to ensure compensation for victims and create a precedent for the future depends on political will.”
Conclusions and Significance of the Lecture
This event marked another step in the international dialogue on justice for Ukraine. Our mission is not only to spread the right narratives but also to help future legal professionals understand their role in shaping the world’s new legal framework. These students represent a generation that will influence international law and policy, and we must equip them with the tools to make informed decisions in the future.
We extend our gratitude to Bohdana Cherniavska from Ukraine Legal Network and Artem Ripenko for their collaboration, as well as to our colleagues from Ghent University and SD Platform for organising the event and bringing together progressive minds.
