CIJA and BSI organise UK visit for Donetsk war crimes prosecutors

A delegation of senior war crimes prosecutors from Donetsk region in Ukraine has arrived in London today to discuss their work to investigate and prosecute crimes relating to culture, cultural property and heritage. The visit forms a part of a joint project led by Blue Shield International (BSI) and The Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA).

The visit will bring together prosecutors from the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor´s Office and various representatives of the UK law enforcement and relevant ministries including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It marks the culmination of a 12-month, DCMS funded, assistance initiative delivered by BSI and CIJA to support the Office of the Prosecutor General at both national and regional level, strengthening capacity to investigate and prosecute crimes against heritage and cultural identity.

Donetsk region has been among the areas most affected by damage to cultural sites, including museums, religious buildings and historic landmarks. For the past year, the project partners have worked on real-time investigations and cases to address those crimes. Protecting cultural heritage is critical for safeguarding identity, history and collective memory. Efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against heritage are therefore an essential component of broader accountability processes. By strengthening legal capacity and international cooperation, initiatives such as this programme aim to ensure that the protection of cultural heritage remains a central pillar of justice and reconstruction.