Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Bar Association (the UBA), the Global Accountability Network (GAN), and the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) have joined forces to ensure that Ukrainian and international lawyers have the opportunity to implement joint measures to restore the rule of law.

Thus, the UBA, NYSBA and GAN have pledged to uphold and defend the rule of law, which is violated in view of the alleged international crimes committed by the Russian Federation, if proven in a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction. This position is enshrined in the Memorandum of Cooperation.

In particular, the document states that an effective review of alleged war crimes committed by Russia can be carried out by the International Special Tribunal. The Parties note that, in order for the Special Tribunal to function fairly and effectively, there is а need for training lawyers, investigators and others about intonational criminal law, the marshaling of evidence for use in support of prosecutions under intonational criminal law, and the prosecution of crimes as defined under intonational criminal law.

For this purpose, the parties join efforts to establish and maintain appropriate educational programs, including continuing legal education and public legal education, as well as the distribution of relevant educational materials.

The document was signed by the UBA President Anna Ogrenchuk, GAN Executive Director Kate Powers, and NYSBA President Sherry Levin Wallach.