News item | 05-12-2023 | 5:20 PM
Foreign Minister Bruins Slot has made 17 million euros available in Kyiv on behalf of the Netherlands to support Ukraine in combating impunity and to achieve justice for Ukrainian citizens who are victims of war crimes. The money is intended, among other things, to strengthen the judicial sector in Ukraine. The ten-point plan for Peace that Ukrainian President Zelensky presented on October 11, 2022 contains the seventh point: Restoring Justice. The Netherlands has stepped up to play a leading role in this regard within the international community.
Minister Bruins Slot visited Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday she met with Minister Kuleba and President Zelensky in Kyiv. Bruins Slot spoke to them about the importance of continued support to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor. “The war is a long-term affair, so we must continue to work at full strength together with the EU and NATO to support Ukraine in defending against Russia. If we relax in this regard, we will give Putin exactly what he hopes for,” the minister said.
The minister also emphasized during the conversations that the war crimes committed against the Ukrainian population should not go unpunished.
Minister Bruins Slot: “Evidence of the horrors of this war is visible in many places in Ukraine. This is also the case in Bucha, where the mass grave at St Andrews Church is a painful reminder of the horrific crimes committed there against innocent civilians. The Ukrainian people deserve our support and help to bring those responsible for this war to justice. The Netherlands will continue to work towards this.”
Explanation Dutch financial support for justice
The 17 million euros consists of two parts. The Netherlands will firstly make 9 million euros available for the project ‘Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine‘ to support the Ukrainian justice sector with knowledge, skills and capacity, specifically in the field of international criminal law. This project contributes, among other things, to the fight against impunity for sexual and gender-based violence, strengthening the Ukrainian capacity to prosecute these types of crimes and improving the Ukrainian capacity to investigate and prosecute international crimes against children to go. Bruins Slot pledged the amount during a meeting with Ukrainian Attorney General Andriy Kostin.
The Netherlands also supports the civilian EU mission European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) with a substantial additional contribution of 8 million euros. Bruins Slot announced the amount during a visit to the mission in Kyiv. This money is intended, among other things, to strengthen the Public Prosecution Service and the police in the liberated areas. The mission will also use the money for advice in the field of investigation and prosecution.
Visit Bucha, Myrotske
Minister Bruins Slot visited the Ukrainian towns of Bucha and Myrotske on Monday. Bucha became famous after the weeks-long occupation by the Russian army. After the departure of the soldiers, the atrocities against the population came to light. Images of this went around the world. Minister Bruins Slot visited the mass grave at St Andrews Church in Bucha. The minister visited a demining project in Myrotske. The minister also visited an artillery training center.
Dialogue Group on Accountability for Ukraine
On Tuesday, Minister Bruins Slot spoke with the Ukrainian ombudsman Lubinets about the large-scale and systematic kidnapping of Ukrainian children by Russia. According to Ukrainian figures, more than 20,000 children have been torn from their families and deported to Russia. Lubinets and the minister discussed how the Netherlands can contribute to reuniting these children with their families. For example, using DNA rapid test kits.
The official secretariat of the Dialogue Group on Accountability for Ukraine opened at the Attorney General’s office in Kyiv. In March this year, the Dialogue Group was established at the initiative of the Netherlands as a platform for countries, international organizations and involved parties from civil society to ensure that the many national and international initiatives in the field of justice are aligned.