The Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U) is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Kyiv. The office will help the Register raise awareness amongst various stakeholders within Ukraine, including regional and local authorities, businesses, civil society organisations, and the general public. It will also further enhance the collaboration between the Register and the Ukrainian Government on legal and technical matters concerning the submission of claims to the Register.
The RD4U Kyiv Office was inaugurated in the presence of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, the President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Sport of Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Denis Malyuska, and the Executive Director of RD4U, Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi.
During the event, the speakers reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine and its people. The Register of Damage for Ukraine is a first crucial step towards ensuring justice and compensation for Ukraine and Ukrainians.
“It is a great pleasure to open the Kyiv office of the Register of Damage for Ukraine. This is an important step forward as the Register prepares to receive its first claims for damages in the near future. The Russian Federation’s brutal, illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is the single largest and bloodiest conflict fought on European soil since the Second World War. It continues to cause terrible suffering for the people of Ukraine. With lives lost, people gravely injured, and others raped and tortured, imprisoned or displaced. There have been grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Countless crimes have been committed. And for this Russia must be held to account,” underlined Marija Pejčinović Burić.
“The Liechtenstein Presidency in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has made it a priority to implement the support measures for Ukraine agreed by the Heads of State and Government at the Summit in Reykjavik last year. The opening of the Register‘s office in Kyiv is an important milestone in ensuring accountability for the Russian aggression against Ukraine. I would like to thank the Executive Director and the Register for their tireless efforts in establishing the so important operational work,” stated Dominique Hasler.
“The Register of Damage was prepared for operation quite quickly - it will start working in nine months after the decision to create the register. At the same time, this is a rather unique case where damage assessment and evidence collection will take place against the backdrop of an armed conflict that has not yet ended. Therefore, both Ukraine and international partners are continuing their efforts to improve the mechanisms of the Register,” declared Denis Malyuska.
"As the Register of Damage prepares for the commencement of claims submission process, establishing our presence in Kyiv is crucial. This strategic move will bolster our coordination with the Ukrainian government and foster stronger collaborations with organizations gathering evidence of damages and destruction resulting from Russian aggression. Importantly, this initiative enables the Register to reach out to those who have suffered damage because of the war, facilitating their claims submission as a significant step towards achieving justice, accountability, and fair reparations," emphasised Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, in closing the ceremony.
Significant efforts are being made by RD4U to ensure a smooth opening for submission of claims. This includes ramping up awareness efforts to guide potential claimants through the claims’ submission process. RD4U is dedicated to facilitating an accessible and supportive environment for all claimants seeking compensation for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
RD4U's commitment to its mission is intricately linked with the necessity for comprehensive collaboration with numerous Ukrainian stakeholders, alongside extensive outreach efforts within the country. The crucial task of disseminating information about the Register and its pivotal role will be spearheaded by the Register’s Kyiv Office which was just inaugurated. The Register's physical presence in Kyiv is strategic, enhancing its capacity to strengthen collaboration with national, regional and local stakeholders for the benefit of Ukrainian claimants.
Dr Ganna Khrystova will lead the Kyiv Office. With her extensive background as a seasoned lawyer, complemented by a wealth of experience in leading capacity building and outreach initiatives in Ukraine, Dr Khrystova is perfectly poised to drive the mission of RD4U forward.
A significant aspect of the Register’s operations involves cooperation with the Ukrainian Government. This relationship focuses on the development of legal and technical frameworks to facilitate the submission of claims to the Register for claimants.
Central to the Register’s outreach strategy is the deployment of an extensive outreach program designed to promote awareness amongst the Ukrainian people about the Register's objectives. It is vital for claimants in Ukraine - including individuals, businesses, and the Ukrainian State - to be well informed about the significance of the Register in the compensation process and the process of submitting claims.
The journey to claiming compensation involves various challenges for different victim categories. While some victims may require technical assistance in navigating the submission process in the Diia system, others might need support with collection of evidence. Moreover, there are victims who, due to the war's psychological impact, need help in articulating their experiences and the Register will do its outmost to avoid their retraumatisation.
Serving as a hub, the Kyiv Office will also play an important role in coordinate information sharing, including on evidence, with other international organisations, Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations.
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