The Fate and Role of Citizens in War

Oleksandra Matviichuk is a Ukrainian human rights lawyer. Since 2014 she has been documenting war crimes with her organization Centre for Civil Liberties, that was rewarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. In De Balie she will speak about the fate and role of citizens in war.

Between the Maidan Revolution of Dignity and 2022, Matviichuk focused on documenting war crimes during the conflict in the Donbas region. In 2021, Matviichuk was nominated for the United Nations Committee Against Torture, making history as the first female candidate from Ukraine for a UN treaty body. She campaigned to reduce violence against women in conflict zones. In 2025, she became an ambassador for Protect Ukraine. Matviichuk has called for the prosecution of Vladimir Putin and Russian soldiers in a special tribunal, citing the extensive human rights violations committed by Russian forces.

Preceding her lecture, Jaap Scholten will give a short introduction. Afterwards Oleksandra, Volodymyr, Jaap and Yoeri will engage in conversation.

Even if you cannot rely on the international system of peace and security, you can still always rely on people. Ordinary people can change world history quicker than UN intervention. The people of Protect Ukraine are an example of this – Oleksandra Matviichuk