Representatives of the Committee on Law Enforcement paid a working visit to Italy and the Netherlands

This was reported by Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Law Enforcement Halyna Mykhailiuk.

«Recently, the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation engaged with key national and international judicial institutions in Italy and the Netherlands,» noted Halyna Mykhailiuk. «The purpose of the visit was to study European models of victim and witness protection in criminal cases, particularly in the context of war-related violence.

Ukraine’s victim protection system requires comprehensive transformation — from fragmented changes to a coordinated, human-centered approach. That’s why our visit focused on interagency cooperation, victim identification mechanisms, protection programs, and justice procedures.

I strongly believe that the outcomes of this visit to our European colleagues will serve as a solid foundation for further effective legislative initiatives. Ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses is our decisive response to the challenges of war — and our responsibility to those who have had the courage to testify about the gravest crimes,» she added.

The parliamentary delegation also visited Italy — one of the few countries that has succeeded in building a comprehensive national system for protecting victims of human trafficking and crime witnesses. At the heart of this model lies interagency coordination, an effective referral mechanism for victims to the relevant authorities, legislation aligned with EU standards, and — importantly — a clear understanding that protection must be provided even before a victim agrees to cooperate with investigators.

As part of the visit, the delegates met with the Office of the Special Commissioner for Combating Human Trafficking, the Central Directorate of Criminal Police of the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Directorate for the Fight against Mafia and Terrorism. Italy’s witness protection programme alone receives over €80 million annually from the state budget — covering not just physical security but also new identities, housing, and protection for the witnesses’ families. Those who choose to speak out are never left alone.

Ukrainian parliamentarians were particularly impressed by Italy’s anti-human trafficking system — comprehensive, well-structured, and human-centered. It includes a National Action Plan, 21 regional projects, a centralized SIRIT database for registering and monitoring victims, and a 24/7 multilingual helpline available in 14 languages, including Ukrainian. Following the full-scale invasion, Italy also launched a dedicated support line specifically for Ukrainians.

«We saw how the system works in practice — the coordinated efforts of social workers, psychologists, lawyers, and police, from the first contact to the full social reintegration of the victim. This is the kind of experience Ukraine must urgently adapt to its own context,» noted Halyna Mykhailiuk

As part of the visit to the Netherlands on June 12–13, the Ukrainian delegation visited the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Discussions focused on witness protection standards in international proceedings, the role of psychologists, confidentiality levels, and approaches to intergovernmental cooperation in cases of international crimes.

«An interesting detail: the International Court of Justice is currently holding hearings on the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Iran in January 2020. This is yet another reminder that the international justice system continues to pursue truth and accountability—even if it takes years.

The main purpose of the visit was to study practices of international justice that could be applied in the Ukrainian context. While Ukraine is already cooperating with the International Criminal Court in prosecuting war crimes, there remains a need to build an effective domestic system that ensures real witness protection and comprehensive support for victims. The experience of international courts serves as a vital benchmark in shaping Ukraine’s national model,» she said.

In the Netherlands, the Ukrainian delegation also studied the work of key institutions responsible for witness protection and the investigation of international crimes — including the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Dutch witness protection program impressed with its pragmatic and comprehensive approach: psychological assessment before enrollment, the option to testify anonymously, actual relocation, protection of family members, and a formal agreement between the state and the witness outlining mutual obligations. Notably, even arbitration procedures are included in the system to resolve potential conflicts between the witness and the state.

«The delegation also focused on the process of investigating international crimes, including war crimes. A dedicated team of investigators and prosecutors in the Netherlands is trained in line with International Criminal Court standards — a benchmark for Ukraine.

The insights gained during the visit will serve as a foundation for improving Ukrainian legislation to ensure that witnesses in war crimes cases are not targets, but protected parties supported by the state,» said Halyna Mykhailiuk.