War Crimes on Trial: CEELI Institute’s Summer School for Ukrainian Lawyers
The trial against Kenan Velor and Nadin Tarus hinged on a key, if hypothetical, question: Did the fictitious defendants commit war crimes when they targeted a building in the made-up city of Jento?
To the prosecution—Ukrainian law students and junior lawyers enrolled in CEELI Institute’s summer school—the answer was obvious: The men’s role in the rocket attack was illegal, end of story. But to the defense team, this was a case of misplaced frustration. Two sides were at war, and the attack, however horrific (and fictitious), was justified.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, international legal experts have been working to lay the future groundwork for holding Moscow to account for its commission of atrocities. Part of that preparation took place at Villa Grébovka in mid-July, when judges and legal scholars gathered with Ukrainian law students and young professionals for CEELI’s third annual summer school, “Legal Skills in a Time of War.” The intensive two-week curriculum ranged from developing general trial advocacy skills to navigating the intricacies of international humanitarian law.
The first week was wholly interactive, with the participants on their feet all day testing out newly learned skills in witness interviewing, direct and cross-examination, and open and closing techniques in small group exercises. Special emphasis was placed on interviewing trauma victims, guided by U.K. expert Olivia Wilson-Bushell—a topic familiar to many participants through their volunteer work with Ukrainian organizations back home. The first week came to a close with the participants huddled in small groups late into the evening, preparing for the culminating mock trials the following day, during which they displayed their newly sharpened courtroom skills.
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