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The Domestic Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine

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The Domestic Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine The Domestic Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine The Domestic Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine May 2016 This document was prepared by Global Rights Compliance. Global Rights Compliance is registered as a limited liability partnership through Companies House in the United Kingdom, Partnership No. OC388087. Its registered address is Endeavour House, 78 Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey, United Kingdom, SM6 9AY. This document is available in electronic format in English and Ukrainian at www.globalrightscompliance.com, as well as on Global Rights Compliance’s Facebook page. Disclaimer This publication was funded by the UK Government as part of the “International Criminal Court and International Humanitarian Law Reform” project implemented by Global Rights Compliance LLP. The views expressed in it are those of the author(s) and may not coincide with the official position of the UK Government. THE DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN UKRAINE | 1 Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 11 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ 12 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 14 Objectives and Structure of the Report ....................................................................................... 19 The Basics of International Humanitarian Law ...................................................................... 21 Part I ........................................................................................................................................ 21 IHL Primer ........................................................................................................................................ 21 Treaties Related to International Humanitarian Law ................................................................... 23 Customary International Humanitarian Law ................................................................................ 24 The Rome Statute ........................................................................................................................ 25 National Implementation Measures ............................................................................................. 27 IHL Infrastructure in Ukraine ............................................................................................................ 28 Ukraine's Legal System and its IHL Treaty Ratification Process ................................................ 28 IHL Treaties Ratified by the Government of Ukraine ....................................................................... 30 Principal IHL Legislation and other Domestic Legal Measures....................................................... 31 Principal IHL Actors in Ukraine ........................................................................................................ 34 Ministry of Defence ...................................................................................................................... 34 IHL Commission ........................................................................................................................... 34 Ukrainian Red Cross .................................................................................................................... 34 Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Offices .................................................................................................... 35 National Legislation for Prosecuting Alleged IHL Violations ........................................................... 35 Violations of IHL ........................................................................................................................... 35 Criminalisation of IHL Violations .................................................................................................. 36 How states create effective penal legislation or enforcement frameworks? ............................... 37 National Implementation Measures Enacted by Ukraine ....................................................... 42 Part II ....................................................................................................................................... 42 Translation and Transmission of Information ......................................................................... 43 Relevant Provisions in Core IHL Treaties ........................................................................................ 43 Communication with Other State Parties ........................................................................................ 43 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 43 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 44 Posting Conventions at Prisoner of War Camps and Internment Camps ....................................... 46 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 46 Primary Ukrainian National Implementation Measures ............................................................... 47 Dissemination & Training of IHL Principles ............................................................................ 48 Relevant Provisions in Core IHL Treaties ........................................................................................ 48 General Obligation ........................................................................................................................... 48 Key National Implementation Requirements ............................................................................... 48 THE DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN UKRAINE | 2 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 49 IHL Dissemination in Relation to POWs and Internees................................................................... 56 Key National Implementation Requirements ............................................................................... 56 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 56 Dissemination of IHL in Relation to Cultural Property ..................................................................... 57 Key National Implementation Requirements ............................................................................... 57 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 57 Dissemination of IHL in Relation to Weapons ................................................................................. 57 Key National Implementation Requirements ............................................................................... 57 Primary Ukrainian National Implementation Measures ............................................................... 58 Dissemination of IHL in Relation to Children ................................................................................... 58 Key National Implementation Requirements ............................................................................... 58 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 58 IHL Violations .......................................................................................................................... 60 Relevant Provisions in Core IHL Treaties ........................................................................................ 60 Repression of Serious Violations of IHL .......................................................................................... 60 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 60 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 63 Repression of Non-serious Violations of IHL................................................................................... 74 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 74 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 74 Superior Responsibility .................................................................................................................... 75 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 75 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 76 Obedience to Superior Orders and Defence ................................................................................... 78 Principal National Implementation Requirements ....................................................................... 78 Primary Ukrainian Implementation Measures ............................................................................. 78 Guarantees of a Fair Trial ...............................................................................................................
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