Free Court debate “Law as the Guardian of Peace”

On the eve of the second anniversary of the full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Kaja Kowalczewska participated in a seminar organized by the Free Courts Foundation: “Law as a Guardian of Peace. In search of effective mechanisms to protect the rights of victims of modern armed conflicts.”

The debate brought together voices from academics, practitioners, and civil society, delving into past experiences, present challenges, and the way forward. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, given the recent change in the Polish government—a potential opportunity to contribute to strengthening the country’s position on international law compliance.

Drawing from Kaja’s latest research, she shared insights on the hurdles hindering the democratization of criminal justice efforts, with a specific focus on the ICC/Eurojust/Genocide Network Guidelines and the experiences of Polish NGOs documenting atrocities in Ukraine. Minimizing the risk of revictimization is paramount, and Kaja highlighted the practical and normative strengths of coordinating these efforts, advocating for a two-way dialogue between state authorities, academia, and civil society stakeholders.

Photo: Małgorzata Majewska