Advancing Accountability for Crimes Against Children
Munich, Germany – Yesterday, The Reckoning Project (TRP) hosted a pivotal side event at the Munich Security Conference, addressing the deliberate targeting of children during conflict. This timely discussion highlighted the grave human rights violations faced by children in war zones and the critical need for global accountability and action.
Moderated by Janine di Giovanni, CEO of TRP, the event featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Tirana Hassan (Executive Director of Human Rights Watch), Agnès Callamard (Secretary General of Amnesty International), Andrew Gilmour (Former UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights), Ibrahim Olabi (Chief Legal Counsel of TRP) and Oleksandra Matviichuk (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties).
Drawing from TRP's extensive work in Ukraine, the panelists discussed the deliberate targeting of children during war—whether through indoctrination, forced assimilation, or other violations of human rights. The discussion underscored how these atrocities not only erase identities but also destabilize societies and perpetuate cycles of conflict.
The event also highlighted the urgency of holding perpetrators accountable. While there is no single solution to the complex issue of child indoctrination and wartime abuses, documentation remains central to ensuring justice. TRP's team has dedicated significant efforts to documenting Russia's abuse of Ukrainian children, a key focus of the side event.
Key Announcement: New Task Force
As a direct outcome of the side event, TRP is launching a Task Force to develop a new protocol for documenting violations against children in conflict zones. This protocol will aim to hold perpetrators accountable while also offering a comprehensive framework for prevention.
TRP is calling on experts from diverse fields, including international law, history, economics, and psychology, to contribute to this important initiative. TRP plans to present the final protocol at the Munich Security Conference in 2026.
The Distinguished Panel
Janine di Giovanni
CEO, The Reckoning Project
Event Moderator
Tirana Hassan
Executive Director
Human Rights Watch
Agnès Callamard
Secretary General
Amnesty International
Andrew Gilmour
Former UN Assistant Secretary-General
for Human Rights
Ibrahim Olabi
Chief Legal Counsel
The Reckoning Project
Oleksandra Matviichuk
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Head, Center for Civil Liberties
Watch the Full Discussion
Bearing Witness: Ukraine (Washington Post Live)
Janine di Giovanni joins Washington Post Live to discuss TRP's work documenting war crimes and the importance of bearing witness to atrocities in Ukraine.
Watch on YouTubeLooking Forward: MSC 2026
The Munich Security Conference has become a cornerstone platform for TRP's advocacy efforts. Building on this year's success, TRP is committed to presenting the comprehensive protocol for documenting violations against children at MSC 2026, marking a significant milestone in the organization's mission to ensure accountability and justice for the world's most vulnerable populations.
Learn more at @TRPforJustice on all platforms