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News
2025-10-16

Professor Piotr Hofmański, Ambassador of the Foundation Sunflowers, Winner of the 16th Edition of the Edward J. Wende Award!

The Edward J. Wende Award is a Polish distinction granted to individuals engaged in public service for their achievements in promoting legal culture and the rule of law. The award commemorates Edward Joachim Wende, a lawyer who, during the communist era in Poland, defended those persecuted for political reasons.
The award honors individuals who act in accordance with the principles of professional ethics and integrity, demonstrating civic courage, steadfastness, and selfless dedication to the public good, as well as to the protection of human and civil rights.
The award is granted for:
  • Promoting and strengthening legal culture,
  • Advancing the rule of law,
  • Contributing to the development and preservation of Polish and European legal heritage,
  • Efforts to strengthen democracy and Poland’s place in Europe.
The organizers of the award are the Edward J. Wende Fund and the Foundation for Poland.
Warm congratulations, Professor!
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-10-14

Foundation Sunflowers Supports Call for Justice and Reparations for Survivors of Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Foundation Sunflowers joins international partners in supporting the Global Survivors Fund’s call for justice and reparations for survivors of Russia’s war against Ukraine. As the war continues, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, enforced disappearance, torture, and other grave human rights violations are still waiting for justice. Reparations are not charity – they are a legal right and a cornstone for restoring dignity, rebuilding stability, and ensuring accountability. Foundation Sunflowers is proud to stand alongside leading international and Ukrainian organizations in signing this joint statement initiated by the Global Survivors Fund.

As the war in Ukraine continues, victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, enforced disappearance, torture, and other grave violations are waiting for justice. Reparations are their right under international law, and a lifeline to rebuild stability, hope and restore dignity. 

With a EUR 140 billion loan to Ukraine – backed by immobilised Russian sovereign assets – now on the table, the European Union must innovate by leveraging these assets and assign a portion of the funds for victims of gross human rights violations and serious violations of humanitarian law.  

Dedicating as little as 2% of this reparation loan – EUR 2.8 billion – to domestic reparations programmes would transform lives. This bold step would showcase European leadership and a commitment to the rule of law, enabling the E.U. and Ukraine to: 

  • Deliver reparations to all victims in urgent need, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence; 

  • Provide recognition and redress to families of the disappeared; 

  • Support rehabilitation and compensation for victims of torture and other grave violations. 

This is a historic opportunity for Europe to pioneer a justice model where the perpetrator’s resources are used to repair the harm caused to victims, and survivors are no longer left to pay the price of survival. By investing in reparations, Europe will rebuild Ukraine’s social cohesion, support its human capital, and lay the foundations for reconstruction, recovery and justice. 

Read more: https://www.globalsurvivorsfund.org/latest/articles/ukraine-eu-asset-backed-loan-to-reparations-for-survivors/

By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-10-07

OSCE Human Dimension Conference 2025 Opens in Warsaw

The OSCE Human Dimension Conference 2025 – the largest annual event dedicated to human rights and democracy in the OSCE region – opened today in Warsaw. The opening session featured remarks by Elina Valtonen, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland.

The conference, organized by the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will run until 17 October. It includes ten plenary sessions covering topics such as human rights, the rule of law, media freedom, gender equality, and combating discrimination.

The Foundation Sunflowers is represented at the conference by Dr. Andriy Kosylo, Member of the Foundation’s Executive Board.
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-09-23

Foundation Sunflowers Joins Global Call to Defend the International Criminal Court

The Foundation Sunflowers joined civil society organizations worldwide in signing a joint statement defending the International Criminal Court (ICC). Reliable reports indicate that the United States may impose sanctions against the ICC as an institution – an unprecedented measure that would undermine the Court’s independence, obstruct accountability for atrocities, and erode the global rule of law.

Together with partners from around the world, Foundation Sunflowers stands firmly in support of the ICC and organizations that promote international justice. Sanctioning the Court would not only harm its functioning but also deny countless victims their last resort to justice. 
 
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
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Webinar
2025-09-09

You’re Invited: Webinar – ICC Arrest Warrant. How does it work?

The webinar is organised by Project Sunflowers and Kraków Center For International Criminal Justice (KCICJ) at the Jagiellonian University. The event is part of a collaboration between the Foundation Sunflowers, which runs Project Sunflowers, and the Krakow Centre for International Criminal Justice, and is aimed at lawyers and human rights activists.
 
A presentation on arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court will be given by ICC Judge Sergio Ugalde Godinez, who is currently the President of the Pre-Trial Division of the Court. Judge Ugalde was a professor of international law at the University for Peace in Costa Rica (2019-2021), mandated by the United Nations; a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; former co-counsel, adviser and advocate for Costa Rica before the International Court of Justice; former Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2014-2018) and its representative to the OPCW and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.  Judge Ugalde also served as Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (2016-2018).
 
Registration link:
 
The event will be held in English
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-07-07

Temporary Suspension of the Sunflowers Reporting App

Due to a lack of financial resources related to IT costs, the Foundation Sunflowers is temporarily suspending the operation of the Sunflowers App used for collecting information on international crimes and damages resulting from the war in Ukraine.

We want to assure all users and contributors that the data collected so far is securely stored and protected. The safety and integrity of this information remain our highest priority.

The Foundation continues to work tirelessly to secure the necessary funding to resume active data collection. We remain committed to documenting the truth and supporting accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine.

While the App is temporarily inactive, the Foundation continues to pursue the core mission of the Project — raising awareness about the legal and social consequences of the war in Ukraine. As part of this effort, the Foundation also engages in advocacy activities aimed at increasing public understanding of the risks and long-term impacts of armed conflicts.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

— The Foundation Sunflowers Team

By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
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Webinar
2025-06-09

You’re Invited: Webinar – Is the Special International Tribunal for Ukraine Dead Now?

The Project Sunflowers, in cooperation with the Kraków Center for International Criminal Justice at Jagiellonian University, invites you to an engaging online discussion on the future of accountability for crimes committed during the war in Ukraine.

Date: June 9, 2025
Time: 18:00 CEST
Language: English
 
Registration link: 
 
Speakers:
  • Dr. Ganna Yudkivska – Former judge at the European Court of Human Rights, Ukraine
  • Prof. Kai Ambos – University of Göttingen, Germany
  • Prof. Michael A. Newton – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. 
Moderator:
  • Prof. Piotr Hofmański – Former President of the International Criminal Court
Join us as our distinguished panel explores the political and legal challenges facing the establishment of a special tribunal for Ukraine—and what the future may hold.

Don’t miss this critical conversation on international justice.

Register now to secure your spot!
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-05-15

Dr Andriy Kosylo Discusses Accountability for War Crimes and Legal Support for Ukrainians on Slawa TV’s ‘Ukrainian Focus

Dr Andriy Kosylo, a board member of Sunflowers, was a guest on the program “Ukrainian Focus” on Slawa TV [https://slawa.tv], dedicated to the issue of holding perpetrators of international crimes committed in Ukraine accountable. During the interview, Dr Kosylo emphasized, among other things, the importance of properly documenting information that can be used as evidence in future legal proceedings, including before international tribunals.

Dr Kosylo also outlined Sunflowers’ efforts, carried out in cooperation with the Legal Aid Coordination Centre of the Polish National Bar of Legal Advisers [https://legalaidpoland.org], aimed at providing legal assistance to Ukrainian citizens when submitting claims to the recently launched Council of Europe Register of Damage (RD4U) [https://rd4u.coe.int/en/].

Link to the program: https://www.youtube.com/live/2XavRMIhiSQ?si=sZkBzI7mPBlkjNuP&t=1080

By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-04-28

Sunflowers Launches First Intensive Course on International Criminal Law for Ukrainian Students

We are proud to announce the launch of the first intensive course on international criminal law, organized by the Foundation Sunflowers in cooperation with experts from the Krakow Center for International Criminal Justice.

This 15-hour program is designed specifically for students at the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate acknowledging their achievement.

The course was developed in response to the growing interest in international criminal law among Ukrainian students and reflects our commitment to supporting legal education and professional development in Ukraine. Through expert-led sessions and interactive learning, participants will explore key aspects of international criminal justice and deepen their understanding of legal mechanisms in a global context.
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments
News
2025-04-18

Foundation Sunflowers and Legal Aid Coordination Center Launch Partnership to Support Ukrainians in Registering War-Related Damages

The Sunflowers Foundation is proud to announce a new partnership with the Legal Aid Coordination Center of the National Chamber of Legal Advisers (KIRP) in Poland. Together, we are launching a joint initiative to assist Ukrainian citizens in submitting claims to the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (R4D), established by the Council of Europe.

Any Ukrainian citizen who has suffered damage as a result of the Russian aggression can now contact the Center’s helpline at +48 800 088 544 to receive free guidance and support in preparing and submitting a claim to the Register.

As part of this process, individuals also have the opportunity to contribute to international accountability efforts. When submitting a claim, they can simultaneously choose to share a testimonial with the Project Sunflowers’ war crimes database by completing a short form available here:
This partnership is a significant step forward in supporting victims of war and ensuring their voices are heard in the pursuit of justice.
By Maciej Trojanowski0 Comments