Kyiv, 13 October 2026 – Representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have visited the Office of the Prosecutor General to inspect a new interviewing room equipped for taking testimony from witnesses and survivors.  

The specialised recording equipment enables prosecutors to document testimony reliably while conducting interviews in conditions designed both to reduce the risk of secondary traumatization and to protect the dignity of victims, survivors and witnesses. 

During the visit to the Office of the Prosecutor General, Denys Lysenko, the Deputy Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Conditions of Armed Conflict, stressed that such initiatives are of high importance for ensuring access to justice in times of war.  

“We’re continuing to work on the integration of human-centred approaches and on taking into account traumatic experience in justice sector work,” Lysenko said. “We do not work with abstract ‘sources of information.’ We work with people who have survived extremely traumatic events. That is why for us interviewing that applies advanced approaches means the minimisation of secondary traumatization; the recognition of vulnerabilities; cultural and gender aspects; the absolute prohibition of coercion; and ensuring voluntariness and informed decision making.”  

The Government of Japan and UNDP provided specialised equipment for recording testimonies for eight interviewing rooms of the Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutor’s offices. This equipment contributes to the promotion of trauma-informed approach across Ukraine, so that reliable documentation goes hand in hand with respect for the dignity, safety and well-being of victims and witnesses.  

Hiroshi Seto, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine, stressed Japan’s intention to support the promotion of access to justice in Ukraine so as to ensure that the rights of war affected persons are duly protected.   

“The number of war crimes is rising in the ongoing war, which is having a significant impact on human rights. Under these conditions, it is critically important to ensure that Ukrainian people have access to justice and that their rights are duly protected.”  

Olena Ursu, UNDP in Ukraine Democratic Governance Team Leader, also underlined that the trauma-informed approach was of high importance during the investigation process.  

“The feeling of safety and respect are essential for those who survived war-related traumatic experience,” Ursu said. “Together with our partners, UNDP promotes an effective, accessible and human-centred justice system that protects the rights of people affected by war and helps build trust in public institutions.”  

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org