Summary Report from “Accountability for International Crimes Committed in Ukraine Joint Efforts to Make it Happen” Conference
News
Foundation Sunflowers Calls for Unconditional Support of the International Criminal Court in Light of U.S. Measures
In view of the measures imposed today by the U.S. on the International Criminal Court, its officials, staff, all those who support the Court in exercising international justice, Foundation Sunflowers has sent an open letter to Mr. Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, and Mr. Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice of Poland, calling for unconditional support of the Court.
Universality Of The Rome Statute. Lack of Big Players And Its Impact On The System – Lessons To Be Learned From Achievements And Failures Of 25 Years Of Global Ratification Campaign
Join us, virtually, on the 28th of February 2025, Friday, at 6:00 PM CET, for the webinar entitled: “Universality Of The Rome Statute. Lack of Big Players And Its Impact On The System – Lessons To Be Learned From Achievements And Failures Of 25 Years Of Global Ratification Campaign”.
The topic will be presented by David Donat Cattin, Ph.D., who is is an Adjunct Associate Professor of International Law and Climate Change & Human Rights at the Center for Global Affairs of New York University (NYU). He is a Research Fellow at the Center for International Law Research and Policy (CILRAP) in Florence, Italy, and a Senior Fellow at the Montreal Institute for Global Security. He is a member of the advisory councils of the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression (GIPA) and the International Center for Multi-Generational Legacies of Trauma (ICMGLT). Dr. Donat Cattin’s academic work has been running parallel to a career in the civil society/non-profit sector, which led to his election for three consecutive terms as Secretary-General (2014–22) of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), the largest international network of individual lawmakers from all regions of the world, where he had been Senior Director, Legal Advisor, and European Coordinator (2000–13). At PGA, he informed, sensitized, and helped to mobilize parliamentarians who promoted the universality and effectiveness of the Rome Statute system in more than 120 countries, contributing to the ratification process of 78 out of the current 125 States Parties to the Statute while assisting the domestic implementing legislation processes of 37 States. He recently joined the Scientific Committee of the Global Initiative Against Humanity (GIAI), a global civil society consortium for justice supported by the European Union.
Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6yYO676_0keekOvSQm286wHQx-xhTYBDoHNptVMRufpURVJPUlBSREg0U0ZQWUY1WTZRWTFQRktXMy4u
News
Foundation Sunflowers Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for the Study of International Crimes at the University of Warsaw
We are thrilled to announce that the Foundation Sunflowers has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for the Study of International Crimes at the University of Warsaw. This centre was established in December 2022. Its mission is to take an active position in the ongoing scientific discussion on international crimes and to create a platform for cooperation between experts from different research centres, civil society organizations and judicial bodies.
“With a View on Three Years of War in Ukraine: Testimony, Justice, Support.”
Project Sunflowers invites you to a special event dedicated to the war in Ukraine, as part of the “With a View on Europe” series.
Join us on February 18 at 11:00 AM at the House of Europe, Widok 10, Wrocław, for the debate titled:
“With a View on Three Years of War in Ukraine: Testimony, Justice, Support.”
This event will focus on three key topics:
- The experiences of eyewitnesses of the war,
- Criminal accountability for war crimes and the pursuit of justice,
- Support for individuals who have survived war crimes in Ukraine.
What challenges do Ukrainian civilians face?
How do they live under constant shelling, often without access to basic services after three years of war? Our speakers will address these pressing questions.
In the second part of the debate, experts will discuss the mechanisms of prosecuting and trying war criminals under international law, including the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which is currently investigating the war in Ukraine.
We will explore:
- The challenges facing the ICC,
- Whether Russian decision-makers will be held accountable,
- The role of the Trust Fund for Victims, which implements reparation judgments issued by the ICC in cases where individuals have been convicted of war crimes.
The final segment will focus on organizations gathering evidence of international crimes committed in Ukraine. Our guests will share insights on:
- How evidence is collected from potential witnesses and war victims,
- The process of working with survivors of war crimes,
- Collaboration between civil society organizations, national authorities, and international institutions.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Ewa Hofmańska – Ph.D. in Law, legal scholar with national and international experience, including at the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims. Founder of Fundacja Sunflowers and Project Sunflowers, which collects evidence of international crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine.
- Dr. Mateusz Piątkowski – Assistant Professor at the Department of International Law, University of Łódź, lawyer specializing in international humanitarian law, especially aerial warfare.
- Bianka Zalewska – Lawyer, war correspondent, and humanitarian activist with reports from Ukraine, Iraq, and Syria. A recipient of the International Women of Courage Award, honored by the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Moderator: Filip Marczyński, journalist from Radio Wrocław.
“And we will continue to stand with Ukraine.” — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Discover how the European Commission supports Ukraine and learn more about the efforts of Project Sunflowers in documenting war crimes.
Participation is free, but registration is required due to limited space.
Register via email: COMM-REP-PL-WROCLAW@ec.europa.eu or phone: (+48) 71 324 09 09.
We also invite you to join our Facebook event hosted by the European Commission in Poland.
After the debate, enjoy Ukrainian-inspired refreshments and networking opportunities.
Bianka Zalewska talked about the role of journalists in reporting on war crimes, the trauma of war and the challenges of working on the front line. She supported her presentation with photographs taken during her journalistic work in Ukraine. Dr Mateusz Piatkowski spoke about the role of international humanitarian law in the conduct of warfare and the protection of civilians. Dr Ewa Hofmańska, President of the Board of Foundation Sunflowers, talked about the pursuit of justice and reparations for victims of international crimes and the role of Project Sunflowers in collecting information about incidents in Ukraine that might be considered as international crimes for the purposes of investigations into these cases and future reparation procedures.
The event was an excellent opportunity to showcase the Project Sunflowers and encourage Ukrainians presented at the venue to share information about incidents they have witnessed in Ukraine and the damage suffered.
News
Defending Justice: Global Opposition to U.S. Sanctions Against the ICC
More than 140 NGOs, including Project Sunflowers, strongly oppose U.S. sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC). These sanctions threaten the court’s independence, obstruct justice for victims of serious international crimes, and undermine global accountability efforts. The coalition urges ICC member states to condemn these actions, protect the court from political interference, and strengthen cooperation to ensure the ICC can continue its vital work.
Read more about it here: https://coalitionfortheicc.org/oppose-sanctions-against-ICC-safeguard-victims-access-justice
News
Position of the Coalition of Victims, Survivors and Witnesses (KOOS) regarding the Resolution of the Council of Ministers on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp
Project Sunflowers, together with the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and The Polish Center For Torture Survivors, calls on the Council of Ministers of Poland to respect its international obligations.
News
Dr. Yevheniia Bondarenko Joins the Sunflowers Foundation Board
We are proud to announce that the Board of the Sunflowers Foundation has been strengthened with the addition of Dr. Yevheniia Bondarenko!
Dr Yevheniia Bondarenko is a legal expert with over 17 years of experience specializing in human rights, rule of law, and support for vulnerable populations. She is specialised on providing legal support and advocacy for the protection of rights of women, minors and persons with disabilities. She has created targeted training materials to effectively support vulnerable groups, including victims of CRVS, gender-based violence, internally displaced persons, and children. Her extensive background encompasses both academic research and the practical implementation of legal frameworks, focusing on judicial reform and legal education.
Dr. Bondarenko has a proven track record in project development and management, capacity building, and ensuring compliance with EU and international standards. Within Ukraine’s judiciary, she is specialized in establishing services, training judges and court staff on gender-based violence and civil registration issues and disseminating EU practices. Moreover, Dr. Bondarenko as a part of evaluation team has produced comprehensive report and actionable recommendations for the OHCHR and the Government of Ukraine to enhance HRMMU’s effectiveness, with a particular focus on gender, disability, and human rights.
Interview given by Dr Andriy Kosylo, Executive Board member of the Foundation Sunflowers, on the Project Sunflowers and the conference on universal jurisdiction
Will European states be able to prosecute and try Russian war criminals?
Interview given by Dr Andriy Kosylo, Executive Board member of the Foundation Sunflowers, on the Project Sunflowers and the conference on universal jurisdiction
Watch the interview on Magnolia TV: https://magnolia-tv.com/news/116659-chy-zmozhut-yevropeyski-derzhavy-peresliduvaty-i-sudyty-voyennykh-zlochyntsiv-rf-video