Kyiv, Ukraine
9th August.
A shocking report by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has revealed that more than 95 percent of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) held by Russian forces have been subjected to brutal torture. This revelation highlights the severe human rights abuses occurring in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The HRMMU’s disturbing findings are based on interviews with 60 recently released Ukrainian POWs, who recounted their harrowing experiences while in Russian captivity. According to Danielle Bell, the head of the HRMMU, nearly every interviewed POW reported being tortured during their detention. The methods of torture described are extensive and horrifying, including repeated beatings, electric shocks, threats of execution, prolonged stress positions, and mock executions. More than half of the POWs also reported being subjected to sexual violence, adding another layer of trauma to their already unbearable ordeals.
“The level of abuse is unprecedented in my 20 years with the UN,” Bell stated, emphasizing the systematic nature of these abuses.
The HRMMU’s report paints a grim picture of what appears to be a deliberate and widespread campaign of torture by Russian forces. The torture of Ukrainian POWs is not an isolated occurrence but rather a systematic practice. Bell noted that the psychological torment experienced by the POWs was equally severe, with detainees being deprived of communication with their families, and denied adequate food, water, and medical care. Many POWs were subjected to severe mental anguish, further compounding their suffering.
The findings from the HRMMU carry significant legal and humanitarian implications. Torture of prisoners of war is a violation of international law, specifically constituting a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. The UN has called for immediate action to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of these abuses. However, the report also highlights the challenges in gathering information, as Russian authorities have consistently denied the HRMMU access to Ukrainian POWs, making it difficult to document these crimes until the POWs are released.
Beyond the torture of POWs, the HRMMU report also sheds light on continued violence against civilians in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The report details ongoing killings, arbitrary detentions, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression. Civilian casualties remain alarmingly high, with conflict-related violence leading to numerous deaths and injuries across Ukraine.
The HRMMU’s report on the widespread torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces is a stark reminder of the severe human rights violations occurring amidst the ongoing conflict. As the international community reacts to these findings, there is a pressing need for accountability and concrete measures to protect the rights and dignity of all those affected by the conflict.
Resources:
1.https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1148026
2.https://www.kyivpost.com/post/37076
3.https://www.yahoo.com/news/over-95-ukrainian-prisoners-war-150018087.html
4.https://ukranews.com/en/news/1025256-russia-tortures-95-of-ukrainian-pows-un
6.https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-un-soldiers-torture-russia-95-percent/33070623.html