Supranational Criminal Law Lecture

[SCL Lecture] The Register of Damage for Ukraine: Towards reparation for victims?

The UN General Assembly Resolution on the “Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine”, adopted on 14 November 2022, recognised that the Russian Federation must be held to account for its violations of international law in Ukraine, including by way of payment of reparation. In response, the Register of Damage for Ukraine was established on 17 May 2023 by the Council of Europe, 40 states, and the European Union. The Register (RD4U) serves as a record, in documentary form, of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, is the first step towards a compensation mechanism, which may include a claims commission and a compensation fund. It opened for the submission of claims on 2 April 2024 with respect to residential property damage, with further categories to be opened in due course. To provide an informed perspective on this critical issue, this Supranational Criminal Law Lecture takes stock of the developments surrounding the Register of Damage at this critical stage and tackles pertinent questions regarding a comprehensive approach to addressing the harm suffered by victims.