On 15 April, Oleksandr Karasevych, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, held a meeting with a delegation of the European Court of Human Rights led by the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current challenges and priorities facing the European Court of Human Rights in its consideration of cases related to human rights violations committed as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. In addition, the parties discussed the legal implications of the Court’s judgments in cases against Russia, as well as the issue of Ukraine’s possible further cooperation with the Court in the context of the process of establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. In this regard, the President of the Court noted in particular that the Special Tribunal would complement the institutional system of the Council of Europe.

Oleksandr Karasevych emphasized that Ukraine highly values the role of the European Court of Human Rights as an independent and effective international judicial institution, as well as one of the key elements of the European system for the protection of human rights and international justice. He stressed the importance of the proper functioning of international legal mechanisms designed to guarantee the protection and observance of human rights and the rule of law, particularly in the context of the Russian Federation’s ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirmed Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to cooperation with the European Court of Human Rights and to the proper execution of its judgments. He noted that this is evidence of our country’s consistent commitment to European legal values, the principle of the rule of law, and the course toward European integration. The parties also expressed interest in further exchange of experience and best practices, particularly where the Court’s experience may contribute to the development of new international accountability mechanisms and to strengthening the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights at the national level.

During the meeting, the parties paid particular attention to the issue of the unlawful transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. The parties emphasized that such practice constitutes a gross violation of international law and requires a proper legal assessment under international law.

Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation within the framework of the Council of Europe mechanisms and other international legal instruments with a view to protecting the rights of unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, as well as ensuring an appropriate response to human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation.