An International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Peace through Law: Military Conflicts and Challenges of Justice’ was held at KUL NASU
On December 10, 2024, an International Scientific and Practical Conference was held at the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine “Peace through Law: Military Conflicts and Challenges of Justice”, together with the European Institute of Continuing Education (Slovakia), Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (Georgia), and Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” (Bulgaria). The conference was dedicated to International Human Rights Day and took place within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Law Week.
The President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine sent a congratulatory letter to the participants of the conference Anatoliy ZAHORODNIY.
The conference was attended by scholars, practitioners, public and political figures, graduate students, and student youth. About a hundred participants (in a mixed format – online and offline) exchanged experiences and practical recommendations regarding the values of the rule of law, the principle of the supremacy of law, humanistic values, and legal relations between society and the state. During lively discussions, gaps in both Ukrainian and international legislation, which were ‘highlighted’ by the war, were also identified.
The moderators of the conference were Ivan KAILO – Vice-Rector for Research at KUL NASU, Professor, Doctor of Law, and Iryna SOPILKO – Advisor to the Rector of KUL NASU, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, Professor.
The Conference was opened by the Rector of the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, professor Yuriy BOSHYTSKYI. First of all, he urged the conference participants to honor with a minute of silence the memory of all whose lives were taken by the war.
Yuriy Ladyslavovych also said: “What does Human Rights Day symbolize for us, Ukrainians? It is usually dedicated to the protection of freedom, dignity, and equality, but in the context of war it takes on a new dimension, as many of these rights become objects of struggle. Every day of the war reminds us of the most important right. — the right to life. This right is currently defended by our defenders on the frontlines, civilians under constant threats, as well as the international community that supports Ukraine.
Thus, for Ukrainians, Human Rights Day during the war is both a day of mourning and a day of hope. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves and the world that human rights are universal, and their protection is the responsibility of each of us. “Peace through law is our common path to a better future!” – emphasized Yuriy Ladyslavovych.
Professor Oleksandr KOPYLENKO, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, expressed his respect to the organizers of the conference and the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Judge of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Doctor of Law Oleh Tkachuk he noted the relevance of the conference topic, talked about the structure of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and, in particular, the Upper Chamber. Oleg Stepanovych also highlighted the problem of the absence of law enforcement bodies in military structures and other related problematic issues that urgently need to be addressed at the legislative level.
With welcoming words, the conference participants were also addressed by Yozef ZATKO – President of the European Institute of Continuing Education, professor; Tetiana KOLOMOYETS – Dean of the Faculty of Law of Zaporizhzhia National University, Doctor of Law, Professor, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine; Pavlo HORINOV – Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Law and Political Science of Uman State University named after Mykhailo Drahomanov, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, Honored Worker of the Social Sphere of Ukraine; Yevhen KOTOROBAY – Head of the Council of Young Lawyers; Oleksandr HERASYMENKO – President of the Institute of Political, Legal and Religious Studies, PhD.
Halyna YERKO, A deputy of the Kyiv Regional Council, PhD in Law, associate professor, shared her experience of the work of local self-government bodies in documenting crimes of the Russian Federation, issues of the rights of the missing, citizens abroad, demining territories, and other negative phenomena caused by the war.
Oleksandra PARAMONOVA, A lawyer at the Law Association ‘PROMIRSI’ shared her experience of legal work and called to sign the petition ‘On Expelling the Russian Federation from the UN’.
Vice-Rector for Scientific Work Ivan KAILO He spoke about the problems of legal regulation of compensation for lost property of Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories, and also emphasized the need to document war crimes. This topic sparked a lively discussion among the attending legal scholars.
Halyna YUROVSKA, A judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, spoke about the specifics of the functioning of the Constitutional Court during martial law, its critical importance for preserving democratic principles, European values, protecting the constitutional order, and ensuring citizens’ rights. “Despite the difficulties, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine remains the foundation of Ukraine’s legal system, which is especially important during the period of defending its independence,” emphasized Halyna Valentynivna.
Scientific reports were presented by Maksym Bak, cadet of the Faculty of Service-Combat Activities of the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine (Features of the legal regime of military occupation); Oleksandr Orlov, 2nd-year student at KUL NASU (The role of international and national institutions in the protection of human rights and freedoms); Voznyuk Vitaliy, PhD student of the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Unauthorized leave of a military unit: reasons and features of investigating this socially dangerous act).
Press Center KUL NASU