Reforming Ukraine's Transitional Criminal Justice System in Post-War Realities: Addressing Emotional Impacts within European Integration Context

Abstract

Ukraine's post-war reconstruction necessitates fundamental reforms to its criminal justice system. The extensive trauma experienced by society following military conflict has generated powerful emotional responses—including fear, anger, and demands for justice—that significantly influence criminal policy development. These emotions risk driving excessive criminalization that may contradict European legal principles Ukraine seeks to adopt through its EU integration process. As Ukraine works to rebuild its institutions while managing war's aftermath, the criminal justice system must balance emotional public demands with rational policy development aligned with EU standards. This intersection of post-conflict emotions and criminal justice reform represents a critical yet understudied aspect of Ukraine's reconstruction agenda.