Ukrainian and Russian human rights lawyers and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate visit Clingendael
The Clingendael Institute welcomed Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights lawyers Oleksandra Matviichuk, Sergei Davidis, and Ekaterina Sokirianskaia for a roundtable discussion on human rights and accountability in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The discussion explored how the Netherlands and the European Union can strengthen efforts to uphold human rights and support accountability amid ongoing conflict.
Moderated by Julia Soldatiuk-Westerveld, Senior Research Fellow at Clingendael, the roundtable created space for an open exchange with policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives. Participants reflected on the role of European actors in addressing the human consequences of war and the challenges of maintaining a human-centred approach in policy debates increasingly dominated by military and geopolitical considerations.
A central takeaway was the growing gap between the language of peace negotiations and realities on the ground. Discussions about Ukraine often focus on territory, sanctions, and security arrangements, while the human dimension risks fading into the background. Yet any future agreement will directly affect people living in border regions and occupied territories, making human security essential for sustainable implementation.
Speakers stressed that Ukraine is too often treated as territory to be negotiated over rather than a society experiencing profound human loss. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden of the war, while those living under occupation, in detention, or under daily threat remain insufficiently centred in policy debates.
The discussion also highlighted accountability as a prerequisite for durable peace. Russia’s actions reflect a recurring pattern of violations of international law met with limited consequences, underscoring the need for accountability mechanisms as part of any lasting settlement.
Clingendael thanks the speakers and participants for an engaged and meaningful conversation.
