Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
With the support of Japan and UNDP in Ukraine, rooms are being set up for interview of witnesses and victims of war crimes to minimize the risk of re-traumatization.
The Office of the Prosecutor General, with the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP, has equipped a specialized room for investigative interviews with victims and witnesses of war crimes. Equipment has also been installed and set up in three regions, and preparation is underway in two more. The initiative’s goal is to conduct procedural actions taking into account the traumatic experiences of individuals and to minimize the risk of re-traumatization.
The Office of the Prosecutor General reported on the arrangement of the specialized space. The work is being carried out with the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP in Ukraine.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the room is equipped in accordance with international standards. It is intended for investigative interviews with people who suffered from war crimes or witnessed them. The conditions should allow taking into account the individual needs of participants in procedural actions and their traumatic experiences.
The initiative is gradually expanding to the regions. In three oblasts, specialized equipment has already been installed and calibrated. In two more, preparatory work for arranging the respective rooms is ongoing.
This work is part of implementing a human-centered approach to investigating war crimes. Its stated goal is to minimize re-traumatization of victims and witnesses during participation in criminal proceedings.
Why interview conditions matter was previously explained by UNDP. In a piece about investigating sexual violence related to the conflict, the organization emphasized that a detailed account of what was experienced can be accompanied by complex psychological reactions. Therefore, prior preparation of the person, careful monitoring of their state, and the possibility to take a break are important.
In this context, the arrangement of premises complements the work of specialists who interact with victims. It is about combining appropriate conditions for documenting the circumstances of the crime with respect for the state of the person reporting what they endured.
Parallel to this, the prosecutor’s system is developing support for victims and witnesses. According to UNDP, relevant units help navigate rights, obtain legal consultations, organize interaction with investigators and prosecutors, and access to psychological, medical, and social assistance.
As a reminder, in December 2024 year StopKor reported on the development of support for victims and witnesses and new approaches to investigating war crimes. The material covered, in particular, the work of coordination centers in the regions.
Also StopKor wrote about the identification of the person of a Russian commander accused of ordering the firing on civilian vehicles in Kyiv region. During the investigation, the police conducted more than 400 investigative actions and 70 court examinations.
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