Events
Oleksandr Leshchenko speaks at the IV Business vs Sanctions Conference
The compliance of Ukraine’s sanctions proceedings with the standards of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) was the central theme of the presentation delivered by Oleksandr Leshchenko, Managing Partner at LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS, during the IV Business vs Sanctions Conference, organized by Yurydychna Praktyka Publishing.
The conference brought together attorneys, judges, government officials, business representatives, academics, and legal experts to discuss the current challenges of Ukraine’s sanctions policy, legislative developments, judicial practice, and international standards in this field.
As part of the conference program, Oleksandr Leshchenko presented his report, “Standards of Sanctions Proceedings Through the Lens of the European Court of Human Rights Case Law,” examining the ECtHR’s contemporary approach to assessing sanctions-related restrictions and their impact on fundamental human rights.
During his presentation, Mr. Leshchenko emphasized that sanctions have become one of the key instruments for safeguarding national security. At the same time, their application increasingly affects property rights, the freedom to conduct business, and other rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.
Particular attention was given to the criteria established in the ECtHR’s case law, under which certain sanctions may, by virtue of their nature and consequences, be regarded as having the characteristics of a criminal charge. In such circumstances, the relevant procedural safeguards should apply, including the right to be heard, the right of access to case materials, the right to effective judicial protection, and independent judicial review.
The presentation also addressed the principles of legal certainty, due process, and the need for the further implementation of ECtHR standards into Ukraine’s national sanctions framework.
Professional discussions that bring together the legal community, public institutions, and business play a vital role in shaping the legal approaches that will define the future of sanctions practice in Ukraine. This is why LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS regularly participates in leading professional forums, combining extensive practical experience with active engagement in discussions on the development of Ukrainian law.
“Sanctions are an essential instrument for protecting national security. At the same time, the ECtHR's case law demonstrates that where sanctions, by their nature and consequences, amount to a criminal charge, the corresponding procedural safeguards must apply. The rule of law does not weaken sanctions policy — it ensures its legitimacy, predictability, and effectiveness,”
