Ukrainian authorities, unlike Russian authorities, have granted international observers access to detention facilities and have begun investigations into most of the alleged killings of detained persons.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine documented the execution of prisoners of war by both sides of the armed conflict. Allegedly, the arbitrary execution of 25 Russian and 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war was known. At the same time, Ukraine gave UN experts unhindered confidential access to the official places of internment of Russian prisoners of war, while Russia did not provide such access.
Mission Conclusions
According to the UN, most Ukrainian prisoners of war captured in the conflict were tortured and ill-treated before being imprisoned.
“The Russian military and FSB officers tortured them for military information, intimidation, humiliation and revenge, the report stated… Torture included beatings, electric shocks, in some cases gunshots or stabbings. a common occurrence is mock killings, “- said the head of the UN monitoring mission for human rights in Ukraine, Matilda Bogner.
According to him, “the conditions of detention for many Ukrainian soldiers are appalling,” and access to medical care is often inadequate or non-existent.
The report stated that five Ukrainian prisoners of war died during internment due to lack of medical care.
“The number of documented cases of torture and ill-treatment during detention in penitentiary institutions is shocking, more than 84% of people were subjected to such treatment. Employees of these institutions subjected prisoners “Welcome beatings” upon their arrival, are regularly beaten, tortured with electric shocks during examinations in the cells or while walking around the territory of the institutions,” said Bogner.
He added that former Ukrainian prisoners of war reported that they dreaded weekly trips to the shower, which inevitably ended in beatings and humiliation, often with sexual undertones.
In addition, since February 24, 2022, the UN mission has documented 621 cases of “enforced disappearance” and “arbitrary detention” of civilians by the Russian military and 91 similar cases committed by Ukrainian security forces .
Of the 127 civilians interviewed who had previously been detained by the Russians, 90% had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment. Of the 73 victims interviewed by the other side, 53% were subjected to torture or ill-treatment by representatives of the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, Bogner said.
Ukraine’s response
The Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, Dmitry Lubinets, disagrees with the conclusions of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine that the Ukrainian side violates the rights of Russian prisoners of war, and require proof of murders.
The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada noted that the mission’s conclusions confirm Russia’s commission of mass war crimes on the territory of Ukraine, violation of human rights and disregard for all international norms humanitarian law. The death and injury of civilians, arbitrary detention, attacks, executions, forced disappearances, torture, sexual violence – such criminal acts were committed by the aggressor, Lubinets defined.
As for the treatment of prisoners of war, the Ombudsman asked about the evidence of guilt of the Ukrainian military.
“It is strange that in repeated personal meetings with the head of the Mission Matilda Bogner and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Denise Brown, they never raised the issue of the treatment of Russian prisoners of war. In addition, I would like hear the indisputable facts and arguments in which the findings of the Mission about possible violations of the Ukrainian side.
I emphasize once again that Ukraine complies with the Geneva Conventions, international law and is open to international organizations. Russia is the criminal that invaded our land, killed and kidnapped Ukrainian citizens and still blocks access to our prisoners of war. The scale of inhumane treatment and torture is hidden,” the Ombudsman insisted.
Lubinets called on the UN, as well as the entire international community, to put pressure on the Russian Federation and demand access to the places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are kept.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.