EDITORIAL

As we mark the beginning of 2026, we are pleased to present the first issue of the year. This issue of Access to Justice in Eastern Europe exemplifies our commitment to international scholarly exchange, bringing together diverse perspectives from across the globe. We are proud to feature contributions from esteemed researchers based in Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine, among others.

This geographical breadth ensures a rich, comparative dialogue on the most pressing legal challenges facing our regions today. The variety of topics is broad but clearly addresses the fundamental challenges of humanity; these are reflected in the shifting boundaries of human dignity, the pursuit of transitional justice, and the protection of the most vulnerable members of our global society.

Our contributors navigate the complexities of modern governance by exploring the intersection of law and emerging technologies, from the ethical integration of artificial intelligence to the regulation of autonomous weapons systems. Furthermore, the issue delves into the intricacies of specialized legal regimes, examining the evolution of property rights, the nuances of international sports law, and the necessity of robust compensation mechanisms in the face of nuclear risks. Together, these studies provide a critical lens through which we can better understand the ongoing transformation of legal systems in a world characterized by both rapid innovation and persistent conflict.

As always in my introductory remarks, I would like to highlight the specific contributions that define the scholarly depth of this issue and have particularly caught the attention of the editorial team and invited experts during our work, as each author offers a unique vantage point on the legal transformations currently shaping our global landscape.

I would like to specifically recommend them in my opening words. In the article "Transitional Justice Mechanisms and Societal Reconciliation for Rule of Law and Democracy Consolidation in Post-Communist Romania. Jurisprudential Perspectives on Reparatory Rights, Lustration and Regime of Property," Anca Parmena Olimid, Cătălina Maria Georgescu, and Cosmin Lucian Gherghe provide a comprehensive look at the reparatory rights and lustration processes that have shaped Romania’s democratic path. Thirty-five years after the 1989 Revolution, the authors analyze the uneven evolution of the normative framework, from property restitution to the investigation of communist crimes. By examining jurisprudential perspectives from the ECHR and the Constitutional Court of Romania, the study offers a vital framework for understanding how societies in transition can develop a legal culture focused on human rights and the consolidation of the rule of law.

The boundaries of legal protection are further explored in "Post-Mortem Justice: Human Dignity and Legal Protections in the European Union" by Andreea-Nicoleta Dragomir and her co-authors. This timely research assesses whether human dignity has justiciable implications beyond death, particularly in the face of digitalized warfare and hybrid conflicts. Using Ukraine as a poignant case study—where the digital dissemination of images of the deceased has raised urgent concerns—the authors highlight the fragmented

nature of EU law regarding post-mortem rights. They advocate for deeper integration and a systematised framework to bridge the gap between the formal recognition of dignity and its effective protection in the digital age.

The protection of the most fragile participants in the justice system is the central focus of Iva Pushkarova’s research, "Procedurally Relevant Vulnerabilities of Children in Criminal Proceedings: Adapted and Child-Sensitive Procedural Models." The author develops a conceptual framework grounded in the notion of "procedurally relevant vulnerabilities"— understood as durable intrinsic conditions that impair a child’s ability to understand, participate in, or cope with the legal process. The study proposes a functional typology of these vulnerabilities and evaluates their procedural implications through the examination of two distinct models: adapted procedures for juvenile offenders and child-sensitive procedures for victims and witnesses. By analyzing these models through a structure of core rights, procedural safeguards, and options, the article offers a matrix tool for mapping vulnerability-sensitive responses, providing a foundation for the harmonization of European criminal justice involving children.

Complementing this, Jamal Barafi and colleagues present a comparative study, "The Child’s Right to Be Heard During Administrative and Judicial Proceedings." By analyzing the legislation of Finland, France, and Belgium, the authors address the practical challenges of implementing Article 12 of the UNCRC, calling for clear mechanisms to ensure that the child's voice is not only heard but truly considered in legal outcomes.

In the realm of international safety, the article "Exceptional Compensation for Nuclear Damage: Comparative Insights from International Nuclear Liability Regimes and the Laws of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia" by Salih Luhaibi and co-authors provides a critical comparative analysis of nuclear liability in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. The research tackles the limitations of the "exclusive operator liability" principle in cases of armed conflict or insolvency. While Ukraine is found to have a more structured statutory framework for state intervention, the study emphasizes the need for clearer institutional arrangements in Saudi Arabia to align with international standards and ensure adequate victim protection.

The dark side of technological progress is examined by Ramunė Jakštienė in "Digitally Tracked Victims and Abusers: Lithuanian Case Law on Technology-Facilitated Partner Stalking." Through an analysis of national case law, the author identifies typical tactics of "tech stalking" and the deficiencies in current anti-stalking legislation. The study highlights how the success of criminal proceedings often unfairly depends on the active involvement of victims and calls for increased digital literacy among legal professionals and expanded responsibilities for technology developers.

The cover, created by our new artist, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for the evolving nature of justice in an era of transition. At its center is a highly detailed, graphic eye, representing the vigilant oversight of the law and the clarity required to navigate complex social changes. It is not merely a passive observer but is integrated into a network of

geometric lines and digital-like fragments, symbolizing how modern justice is increasingly intertwined with technological advancement and data-driven reality.

To the left, the classic silhouette of Themis, or Lady Justice, appears in a layered, almost ethereal form. This juxtaposition of classical statues with modern, abstract graphics illustrates the continuity of fundamental legal principles—fairness, balance, and the rule of law—even as our methods of achieving them undergo radical transformation. This paradoxical, traditional manner of visualizing justice remains vital, yet it appears almost hidden within the new digital forms of its performance.

The composition utilizes a bold color palette of deep red and muted parchment tones, divided by sharp vertical and horizontal axes. This structure reflects the cyclical patterns of existence mentioned in our opening remarks: the rise and fall of regimes, the passing of generations, and the unceasing search for truth. The wire-mesh texture in the background suggests the barriers and complexities that often hinder "access" to justice, while the open space at the top, occupied by a single bird, hints at the hope for liberation and the renewal that a paradigm shift can bring, along with deserved peace and sustainability.

In its entirety, the design reminds us that while we navigate well-worn paths, our fundamental understanding must remain adaptive while maintaining a strong foundational basis. It is a reminder to preserve our core principles while remaining open to the radical renewal necessary to address the challenges of the 21st century.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our editorial team and our reviewers for their exceptional professionalism and objective assessment. In an era where the complexity of legal scholarship continues to evolve, their rigorous peer review remains the cornerstone of our publication’s quality. I am confident that our authors trust our opinion and recognize that every critique is offered as a collaborative effort to refine their work and elevate the legal discourse. Together, we strive to ensure that the findings presented in these pages—ranging from institutional integrity to the transformation of legal culture—serve as reliable foundations for both theoretical advancement and practice-oriented solutions. It is through this shared commitment to excellence that we continue to foster a deeper understanding of justice in an increasingly interconnected world.