As of: March 15, 2024, 1:47 p.m
By: Lisa Mahnke
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Field reports show human rights violations by Russia.
Torture is widespread, even outside of prison.
The extent is alarming.
Geneva - A report published on Friday (March 15) by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine supports the suspicion that Russia regularly and systematically uses torture in the Ukraine war.
The latest report focuses primarily on the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The press release from the UN Human Rights Council speaks of “horrific treatment of such prisoners in several detention centers in the Russian Federation”.
According to the authors, over 800 reports from Ukrainian soldiers were evaluated for the report.
There were also video and image material as well as visits to Ukraine.
Detainees' testimonials showed "severe pain and suffering" and a disregard for human dignity through treatment in custody, according to the press release.
“This has resulted in ongoing physical and psychological trauma,” it continues.
“Welcome to Hell”: UN report collects reports on prison torture by Russia
A Ukrainian soldier reported brutal torture that resulted in broken bones, chipped teeth and gangrene.
He attempted suicide but survived.
He has since been released and has been hospitalized 36 times since then.
Another soldier recalled being greeted with “Welcome to Hell.”
Torture was mainly used during interrogation.
Respondents said torture occurred “everywhere.”
Beatings and electric shocks were among the most widely reported Russian torture methods.
There was also sexual abuse and rape.
Food shortages and very limited hygiene facilities were another pattern identified among the reports.
Torture and war crimes not only among prisoners of war - Russia's pattern in the Ukraine war
Human rights violations continued to occur during the war, as highlighted in the Commission of Inquiry report.
The Russian army has repeatedly used explosive weapons in civilian areas, destroying medical infrastructure and cultural property that are actually protected by international martial law.
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The attack on Mariupol is one of the main topics in the current report.
© picture alliance/dpa/XinHua |
Victor
A particular focus in the report was on the battle for Mariupol, in which at least 15,555 buildings were damaged.
According to the report, the Ukrainian authorities assume several thousand deaths in the city between February 24 and May 20, 2022.
Due to the lack of a network, people had no access to information about evacuation options and, according to the report, people were intimidated or shot during area reconnaissance even after the official battle ended.
Additional evidence pointed to unlawful transfer of children to Russian-controlled areas and sexual violence and rape against women, particularly during house searches.
The sexual violence was often paired with threats or intimidation with weapons.
“We believe that both rape and sexual violence are war crimes,” said Commissioner Vrinda Grover.
UN report makes clear: Human rights violations on the Ukrainian side too
Some human rights violations by the Ukrainian side were also mentioned on the same page.
Those affected were people who were suspected of collaborating with Russian authorities.
In its report, the commission of inquiry condemned all human rights violations and resolved to further investigate many of the aspects.
The commission of inquiry was set up by the UN Human Rights Council.
© FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
“We are concerned about the extent, persistence and severity of the violations and crimes the Commission has investigated, as well as the impact on victims and affected communities,” Commission Chairman Erik Mose said, according to the release.
The report was presented on March 15 at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The Human Rights Council launched the commission of inquiry in 2022.
(lismah)