Start of operations of Core International Crimes Evidence Database and new International Centre for Prosecution of the crime of Aggression to be based at Agency

Almost one year after the start of the war in Ukraine, Eurojust has taken crucial steps in support of the judicial response to alleged core international crimes. An important milestone is the start of operations of the Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED). A new International Centre for Prosecution of the crime of Aggression (ICPA) will also be based at Eurojust.

With CICED, the Agency has introduced a tailor-made judicial database to preserve, store and analyse evidence of core international crimes in a secure mode. Technical solutions for the safe transmission and secure storage of evidence are now in place and an advanced analysis module will be added in the coming months.

CICED’s centralised approach will support national and international investigations by shedding light, not only on individual offences but also on the systemic actions behind them. CICED will be beneficial for the investigations into core international crimes allegedly committed in Ukraine, as well as other conflicts where these offences would occur.

In addition, Eurojust is in the process of setting up the ICPA. The main purpose of the ICPA is to support and enhance investigations into the crime of aggression by securing key evidence and facilitating case building at the earliest possible stage.

The centre will be part of the current support structure for the joint investigation team (JIT), which ensures an optimal alignment between the investigations into war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and the crime of aggression. The prosecutors who will be part of the ICPA can be based at Eurojust on a semi-permanent basis, allowing for close coordination of their work in line with a joint prosecutorial strategy.

Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran stated: ‘Nothing can make up for the terrible loss and destruction that the Ukrainian people have suffered since the start of this war. But core international crimes must always be accounted for, and Eurojust is doing whatever it can to help bring those responsible to justice. New initiatives, including the Core International Crimes Evidence Database and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the crime of Aggression, enable us to give concrete support to authorities working to get justice done for the victims of these horrendous crimes.’

Eurojust Vice-President and National Member for Lithuania, Ms Margarita Šniutytė-Daugėlienė, said: ‘The international legal community is incredibly determined to ensure accountability for the crimes committed in Ukraine. The wish to make justice prevail clearly transcends national, continental and organisational boundaries. Eurojust is proud to contribute to these efforts, by not only using the full potential of our existing support mechanisms but also introducing innovative solutions to safeguard core international crime evidence and enhance the investigation of the crime of aggression.’

Liaison Prosecutor for Ukraine at Eurojust, Ms Myroslava Krasnoborova, commented: ‘While the damage caused by the Russian invasion can never be undone, we can make sure that those responsible are brought to justice. Setting up the joint investigation team has been a real game-changer in the accountability efforts and Ukraine welcomes the support received from Eurojust so far. At the same time, it is our firm belief that impunity for the crime of aggression should never be accepted. Ukraine therefore strongly welcomes the decision to set up the ICPA at Eurojust, and hopes that this will accelerate the ongoing discussions about the eventual prosecution for this supreme international crime.’

Background information

Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED)

Triggered by the war in Ukraine, CICED is the result of an amendment to the Eurojust Regulation that entered into force on 1 June 2022. CICED’s centralised approach will allow Eurojust to facilitate the exchange of key evidence, identify the systemic actions behind individual offences, advise on prosecution strategies, and prepare thematic analysis and reports on specific aspects of investigations into core international crimes, such as sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

The database enables secure transmission and storage to prevent loss of evidence in times of conflict. The possibility to identify parallel investigations at an early stage also leads to a more efficient use of resources and a reduced risk of legal errors. In addition, maintaining a central overview of interviewed victims helps to avoid re-victimisation by repeated interviews. Only competent national authorities will be able to submit information or evidence on a voluntary basis. You will find more information on CICED in this factsheet.

International Centre for the Prosecution of the crime of Aggression (ICPA)

Eurojust will support the new International Centre for the Prosecution of the crime of Aggression (ICPA), as announced by European Commission President Ms Ursula von der Leyen on 2 February of this year. Its main purpose is to enhance investigations into the crime of aggression by securing key evidence and facilitating the process of case building at an early stage.

The ICPA will be an integral part of the existing support structure at Eurojust for the joint investigation team on Ukraine, ensuring optimal alignment between the investigations into core international crimes and the crime of aggression. Details of the implementation are currently being discussed; prosecutors working at the ICPA can be based at Eurojust on a semi-permanent basis while they continue to work on their domestic investigations in accordance with their national law. Eurojust is set to provide legal, operational and logistic support.

Actions taken by Eurojust since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine

On 2 March 2022, Eurojust organised a coordination meeting at the request of the national authorities of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine to discuss the prosecution of alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. On 25 March 2022, a JIT agreement was signed between the three national authorities, with Eurojust providing full support.

This JIT facilitates the exchange of information and evidence and strengthens coordination. On 25 April 2022, the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) became a participant in the JIT, with the authorities of Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia joining on 30 May 2022. Romania became a member of the JIT on 13 October last year.

Between March 2022 and now, Eurojust has hosted 14 coordination meetings of the JIT and other national authorities who are investigating alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. The Agency provides legal, logistical, financial and analytical support to the JIT.

Eurojust also hosts the Genocide Network Secretariat, which bundles unique expertise concerning the prosecution of core international crimes. In cooperation with the Genocide Network and the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC, practical guidelines have been issued for civil society organisations on documenting core international crimes. Furthermore, the Agency contributes to the European Commission’s Freeze and Seize Task Force.

For a full overview of Eurojust’s role regarding Ukraine, please consult this dedicated webpage.