Tokyo to Co-Host Free IBA Conference on Justice and Accountability for Ukraine

International legal experts, government officials, and bar association leaders will gather on 15 October 2026 at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo to address accountability mechanisms and victim compensation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to reporting from the International Bar Association. The free, in-person conference brings together professionals from international organizations, academia, and civil society to evaluate ongoing efforts surrounding the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and related legal frameworks.

Hitotsubashi University Hosts International Legal Experts

The conference at Hitotsubashi University is supported by Human Rights for the Future, the ICC Asia-Pacific Academic Network for International Criminal Justice, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, the Taiwan Bar Association, the Tokyo Bar Association, and Truth Hounds, ibanet.org reported. Delivering opening remarks at the gathering will be IBA President Claudio Visco—who provided a video message—alongside Yurii Lutovinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan, and Tomoaki Ishigaki, Deputy Director-General for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Ambassador, Special Representative for Central Asia, Caucasus, and GUAM. Oleksandr Karasevych, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech.

Focus on Compensation and the Special Tribunal

Anton Korynevych, Director of the Department of International Law and Legal Counteraction to Aggression at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will speak on the tribunal panel. Additional speakers include Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, Executive Director of the Register of Damage for Ukraine in The Hague, and Dmytro Koval, Co-Executive Director of Truth Hounds in Kyiv.

Rule of Law Stakes Highlighted by Organizers

Organizers stress that planning for accountability and restitution cannot wait until hostilities conclude, noting the severe civilian toll of the conflict. IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis emphasized the broader legal consequences of inaction regarding the invasion.

If the crime of aggression is not prosecuted now, it will be permanently normalised. Under international law, victims in Ukraine are entitled to compensation for the harms they have suffered. Backing the Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal goes beyond mere solidarity with Ukraine; such measures serve to uphold international law.

Dr Mark Ellis, International Bar Association

Closing Remarks and Multilingual Proceedings

Simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English will be provided throughout the day, ibanet.org and Mirage News confirmed. Rob Anderson, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will deliver the closing remarks for the conference.