Full participation of Ukraine in ICC assembly makes victims' voices louder – Plotnikova

At this year's session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the Ukrainian delegation is participating for the first time as representatives of a state that has officially acceded to the Rome Statute.

This has expanded the opportunities for the voices of Ukrainian victims to be heard on the international stage. Veronika Plotnikova, head of the Coordination Center for Victim and Witness Support at the Office of the Prosecutor General, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform after participating in the event in The Hague, part of the ICC Assembly session focused on discussions about achieving justice for Ukraine.

"A country that defends with its own blood the values underlying international justice has always had the right to speak. We have never felt powerless. What matters even more to us is the opportunity to offer our own experience and to have another critically important platform where the needs of Ukrainian victims of international crimes can be heard. Today, once again, we focus on the importance of victim-centered policies," Plotnikova emphasized.

According to her, "expectations from international institutions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), are high, even amid the turbulence we are currently witnessing."

She noted that in times of rapid global change, it is especially important to remain true to fundamental democratic values and human rights. Practical steps and strong support for international institutions, particularly the ICC, ensure that these values are not merely declarative.

"Today, together with colleagues, we spoke primarily about victims. First and foremost, we created a platform for their voices. These are victims of Russian aggression, civilians who were imprisoned for their pro-Ukrainian stance. These people must be more visible. And we acknowledge that without the voices and positions of victims, any achievement of peace will not be just," Plotnikova stressed.

The event also included the presentation of the documentary film Surviving in Isolation, produced by Justice Rapid Response in cooperation with the Media Initiative for Human Rights and the Office of the Prosecutor General, which tells the stories of Ukrainians who survived Russian aggression and imprisonment for their pro-Ukrainian positions.

The documentary follows the journey of two Ukrainians from imprisonment and trauma to active civic engagement, highlighting the courage and resilience of Ukrainians.

During the presentation, Ukrainian representatives and international experts discussed the importance of supporting victims and survivors, the necessity of giving a voice to victims of international crimes, and the role of films as a tool for advocacy and raising awareness. The presentation was supported by officials from the Netherlands and Canada and gathered international diplomats, human rights defenders, and representatives of civil society organizations.

As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine at the ICC Assembly session called for strengthening international efforts to hold Russia accountable.