The role of public organizations in documenting and recording war crimes

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive study of the role of civil society organizations in the processes of documenting and recording war crimes. It highlights the legal foundations for recording war crimes, including an analysis of international and national legal acts that define the mechanisms for collecting evidence and the principles of cooperation between state bodies and international institutions. The main goals, tasks, and subjects of the war crimes documentation process are outlined, and academic publications dedicated to the participation of civil society organizations in this field are analyzed. The article examines the key areas of activity of civil society organizations engaged in recording war crimes, including monitoring and documenting war crimes, assisting in the identification of victims and witnesses, cooperating with national and international investigative bodies, providing legal and analytical support, conducting international advocacy, and more. Special attention is given to the experience of organizations such as Truth Hounds, the international nonprofit organization Bellingcat, and the Human Rights Center Zmina. The activities of the coalition «Ukraine. 5 AM» are also reviewed as an example of consolidated efforts by civil society organizations in recording war crimes. The article identifies the main challenges faced by civil society organizations in the process of documenting war crimes. Among the key difficulties noted are the lack of funding, security concerns for organization members, and insufficient state support, among others. Possible solutions to these problems are proposed, including strengthening institutional cooperation between civil society organizations and state bodies, expanding their powers, and introducing an accreditation system for organizations involved in documenting war crimes. The article concludes by emphasizing the significance of civil society organizations in the field of war crimes documentation, highlighting the importance of publicizing recorded findings, informing the international community, and transferring the collected evidence to international judicial bodies for further examination and prosecution of perpetrators.