On July 10, 2023, UpRights led the second workshop in the series of events organised by the USAID Justice for All Activity following the publication of the Benchbook on the Adjudication of International Crimes, developed by the USAID Justice for All Activity in partnership with the National School of Judges, Global Rights Compliance, and UpRights.

By focusing on the topic of war crimes, the workshop aimed to provide Ukrainian judges , prosecutors and other relevant stakeholders with the information necessary to adjudicate particular war crimes by presenting a list of the war crimes applicable under Article 438 of the CCU as well as their definition under international law.

The event is part of a series of five thematic workshops organized following the publication of the Benchbook on 22 June to provide judges and stakeholders with the context to discuss substantial and procedural aspects of the process of adjudication of international crimes outlined in the Benchbook.

On July 6th, 2023, the USAID Justice for All Activity started a series of a workshops on the applicability of international law instruments concerning war crimes under article 438 of the CCU with engagement of UpRights. It follows the recent launch of the Benchbook on the Adjudication of International Crimes under Ukrainian Domestic Law developed by the USAID Justice for All Activity in partnership with the National School of Judges and Global Rights Compliance, and with participation of UpRights initiative.

The workshop aims to facilitate discussions between Ukrainian judges, prosecutors and other relevant stakeholders in interpreting the scope and content of Article 438 of the CCU, considering the nature and content of international humanitarian law and international criminal law, in particular the ICC framework.

The event is the first in a series of five thematic workshops to follow the publication of the Benchbook on 22 June. The workshops provide the opportunity for judges and other stakeholders to consider substantial and procedural aspects of international crimes adjudication provided by the Benchbook.

On 13 October 2021, UpRights Co-Founder Alessandro Pizzuti participated in a panel discussion at the University of Amsterdam concerning crimes committed against migrants in Libya. The event, organized by the Amsterdam Center for Criminal Justice at the University of Amsterdam as part of the “Global Justice Sessions” series, included a screening of “Libya: No Escape from Hell” by director Sara Creta. The documentary illustrated ongoing mistreatment of migrants in detention centers across Libya.

As part of the panelist discussion, Alessandro outlined the applicability of international criminal law to the abuses committed against migrants. While crimes against migrants are typically viewed as human rights violations, international criminal law must also be considered as a relevant framework to pursue prosecutions and ensure accountability. In light of the link with the armed conflict ongoing in Libya, the abuses committed against migrants in detention centres may be qualified as war crimes and fall within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Co-panelists included Ramadan Alamami (former prosecutor in Libya and current CEO of “Adala for all”), Mark Micallef (Director of the “North Africa and Sahel Observatory” of Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime) and documentary filmmaker Sara Creta.