Matilda Bogner, Head of the UN’s human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, mentioned that, over the previous few months, her crew had interviewed 159 prisoners of conflict – or POWs – each women and men, held by Russia, and 175 male prisoners of conflict held by Ukraine.
Ukraine gave the mission entry to Russian POWs the place they have been being held. Russia didn’t, so interviews have been carried out with Ukrainian POWs once they have been launched.
Beatings, canine assaults
Ukrainian POWs have mentioned that they have been regularly subjected to extended beatings, threats, electrical shocks and canine assaults. 9 individuals are mentioned to have died throughout such assaults in April this yr.
Ladies POWs instructed interviewers that they weren’t subjected to bodily violence however described being psychologically plagued by the screams of male POWs being tortured in close by cells. Each women and men prisoners reported being subjected to varied types of sexual violence.
The overwhelming majority of Ukrainian prisoners who have been interviewed mentioned that in their internment they have been tortured and ill-treated.
Intimidation, humiliation
They mentioned their therapy was not solely used to coerce them to present army data or statements about alleged crimes however to intimidate and humiliate them every day.
POWs described being crushed, together with with batons and wood hammers, being kicked, and given electrical shocks with tasers and a army telephone referred to as TAPik.
Abstract executions
Russian POWs, held by Ukraine, instructed interviewers of abstract executions and a number of other instances of torture and ill-treatment, largely once they have been captured, first interrogated, or moved to transit camps and locations of internment. In some instances, they mentioned they have been punched and kicked within the face and physique after surrendering and once they have been interrogated.
In a number of instances, Russian POWs mentioned they have been stabbed or given electrical shocks with the ‘TAPik’ telephone by Ukrainian regulation enforcement officers or army personnel guarding them.
Accountability key
Ms Bogner mentioned that states should deal with all prisoners of conflict humanely always, from the second they’re captured till their launch and repatriation, and that the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment is absolute, even in instances of armed battle.
She additionally mentioned that accountability is essential to deterring and stopping additional violations, including that the events to the battle have clear authorized obligations to analyze and prosecute all allegations of violations of worldwide humanitarian regulation in relation to the therapy of prisoners of conflict inside their management.
