Andriy Yermak to Lead New Legal Committee for War Victims

Committee Launched to Aid Victims of Armed Aggression

According to Главком: The National Bar Association of Ukraine has established four new collegial advisory bodies. On March 9, the inaugural meeting was held for the Committee on the Protection of Victims of Armed Aggression, which will be chaired by Andriy Yermak, the former Head of the President's Office. This initiative comes as Ukraine continues to seek legal avenues for redress and recovery following the full-scale invasion.

Andriy Yermak will oversee the committee's work on protecting those harmed by the aggression against Ukraine, developing compensation mechanisms, and ensuring legal frameworks for recovery align with European integration. Notably, Yermak has not practiced law since February 20, 2020, though his legal career spanned nearly 25 years prior. He received his license to practice in 1995 and co-founded the 'International Legal Company' LLC in October 1997.

Key Focus Areas for the Committee

The new committee will concentrate its efforts on several primary objectives:

• Providing legal aid to military personnel and their families;
• Safeguarding the rights of other individuals affected by the war;
• Developing systems for compensation;
• Involving the legal community in shaping legislation for wartime and post-war periods.

The committee will focus on various groups, including veterans, families of the fallen, prisoners of war, missing persons, civilians who have lost property or businesses, children, and others harmed by the armed aggression.

The committees will operate in cooperation with the Ukrainian Bar Council, state and local authorities, judicial and law enforcement bodies, committees of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament), and international and human rights organizations. The National Bar Association of Ukraine is led by Lidia Izovitova, who has headed the association since its creation in 2012. Her re-election has not been held due to the martial law, though her formal ten-year term concluded in 2022.

The formation of this new committee within the National Bar Association of Ukraine represents a significant step in supporting war victims, particularly service members and their families. This initiative creates avenues for legal protection and the restoration of rights for those who have suffered due to armed aggression.

Its planned collaboration with state bodies and international organizations underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing issues stemming from the war and its aftermath.