Rule of Law in Times of War
22 september 2022
The project is conducted by the Rule of Law Research Centre
and is supported by the Folke Bernadotte Academy.
The armed forces of Russian Federation have invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 thus transforming the military conflict which started in 2014 into a large-scale aggression. Since the invasion, state bodies became overloaded, and often do not possess enough resources in order to perform sound and detailed legal analysis before legal action is taken. Therefore, they have attracted lawyers, specializing in constitutional, criminal, administrative law, human rights, and public management for their legal expertise and support. Meanwhile, citizens in receipt of state services are often not fully aware of the relevant conditions these services are provided in times of war, as well as on the relevant legislative and other changes affecting their rights in this period. The other great concern the sphere of public services has faced was the harsh increase in the internally displaced persons’ numbers.
Therefore, the Center will conduct the necessary research and analysis of the legislation including the recent changes and new laws, and will also provide legal consultations and recommendations to state bodies in the form of legal opinions, analytical papers, draft laws etc. The Center will also provide information on the most important legislative developments affecting human rights and will develop comprehensive recommendations on how to receive public services in times of war.
The Center shall generally provide assistance to public bodies in making quality comprehensible decisions and will develop an information campaign which will popularize legal opinions, consultations, and other analytical and information products.
This activity will be supported by the Folke Bernadotte Academy – Swedish state agency in the fields of peace, security and development.
The Folke Bernadotte Academy conducts “Local Self-Government and the Rule of Law” project with financial support from the Government of Sweden. Its major aim was to strengthen rule of law principles in providing public services on local level, as well as strengthening the capacity of local and national actors in solving problems related to the conflict in the East of Ukraine.
The project has focused on the spheres related to the rule of law, veterans’ reintegration and peace dialogue by conducting research, developing study programs for local and national partners, information events and joint initiatives with local and national partners. Starting 2022, The Folke Bernadotte Academy conducts its activity in Ukraine within the new Strategy of Swedish cooperation with Eastern European countries in the sphere of reforms (2021 – 2027)