Today marks four years since the United States, United Kingdom and European Union established the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) to advance accountability for atrocity crimes in the context of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and to ensure efficient coordination of their respective support. The International Criminal Justice Initiative (ICJI) at Georgetown Law is the Lead Coordinating Entity of ACA.

“ACA represents an important innovation in international justice,” said Amb. (Ret.) Clint Williamson, Lead Coordinator of ACA and Senior Director for International Justice at Georgetown University Law Center. “For the first time, three major governments have partnered together to support a country at war, as it investigates and prosecutes atrocity crimes committed on its territory. In practical terms, this support is responsible for a number of important outcomes, including facilitating indictments against senior Russian officials, strengthened capacity to prosecute crimes against children and the adoption of a victim-centered approach to justice.”

Since launching operations in 2022, ACA has:

• Engaged more than 230 experts
• Led 300+ trainings and study trips with over 7,800+ total participants
• Advised on more than 290 cases
• Led 165 field missions across Ukraine

ACA advances justice and accountability for atrocity crimes in Ukraine by advising and assisting the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) of Ukraine and other relevant Ukrainian government agencies on the documentation, investigation, and prosecution of war crimes and other atrocities, including genocide, crimes against humanity and aggression.

“The need for this type of innovative approach will only grow as international consensus on accountability issues becomes harder and harder to achieve,” Williamson said.

In addition to ICJI, ACA is composed of four additional “Implementing Entities” or partner organizations: the European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM); EU Project Pravo-Justice; Global Rights Compliance (GRC); and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).