The UNBA has established a Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine: five areas of work have been identified

The Ukrainian National Bar Association has established a Committee on the protection of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine, compensation mechanisms and European integration legal support for recovery.

The creation of the Committee was initiated by Andriy Yermak. His professional experience combines legal practice, management experience in the private sector and work in government agencies, including participation in the formation of public policy. Advocate Zhanna Hrusko became the deputy chairman of the Committee.

The Committee will work in five areas.

1. Rule-making. Specifically, participation in improving legislation to protect Ukrainian citizens who have suffered from Russia's aggression against Ukraine, in particular, military personnel. The Committee's task is to participate in the preparation of draft regulatory acts and the formation of conceptual approaches and policies.

2. Protection of the rights of persons affected by armed aggression against Ukraine. The Committee's task is to develop practical algorithms for recording the damage caused and preparing evidence, recommendations on applying for compensation within the framework of national and international compensation mechanisms, and the development of legal instruments to protect such persons. Particular attention will be paid to the development of standards for legal assistance to military personnel and veterans, their family members, families of those killed, persons missing in action, internally displaced persons, and other citizens who have suffered damage as a result of armed aggression.

3. International law. The Committee's tasks are to cooperate with international professional organizations and expert networks on issues related to protecting the rights of persons affected by armed aggression, developing compensation mechanisms, and providing legal support for recovery.

4. Practical and methodological support for the protection of the rights of victims of armed aggression. The Committee will develop recommendations, model procedural documents, and algorithms of action for advocates in cases concerning compensation for damage, the application of national and international compensation mechanisms, and will also contribute to improving the professional training of advocates in these categories of cases.

5. Monitoring and positioning. The Committee will continuously monitor legislative initiatives in the field of victim protection and state recovery, participate in the preparation of UNBA expert opinions on draft laws under consideration by parliament, and form a well-founded professional position of advocacy on relevant decisions.

The Committee is being created to ensure the systematic participation of the advocacy community in shaping legal decisions in the field of protecting victims of armed aggression, developing compensation mechanisms and regulatory support for Ukraine's recovery, as well as to strengthen the professional capacity of the advocacy community to protect the rights and legitimate interests of such persons during the war and post-war period.