Several cases of execution of prisoners of war and civilians by the Russian army have been confirmed by the UN. The world organization denounces these crimes, as well as the acts of torture committed by both camps.
The UN is “deeply concerned” by the increase in allegations of summary executions of Ukrainian soldiers taken prisoner by the Russians, indicating on Wednesday that it had been able to verify 68 cases since the start of the war.
“I call on the Russian authorities to stop the summary executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, to condemn these acts and to prosecute those responsible”declared the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, during a meeting of the Human Rights Council on Ukraine.
She presented to diplomats the latest report from the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), covering the September-November period. She said to herself “deeply concerned by the significant increase in credible allegations of executions of Ukrainian military personnel captured by the Russian armed forces” and emphasized that “summary executions constitute a war crime”.
OHCHR recorded 62 such executions during the three-month reporting period, and was able to verify 5 of these cases. In total, since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, OHCHR has verified the execution of 68 Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russian armed forces.
It also verified the summary execution of 170 civilians since the start of the war in areas controlled by Russian armed forces, including in places of detention.
“It is essential that those responsible for these executions are held accountable” while currently “impunity is almost total”said Ms. Al-Nashif.
“OHCHR also continues to document cases of torture of prisoners of war by Russian and Ukrainian armed forces, which constitutes a violation of international law”she continued.
-She said Ukrainian POWs described torture and mistreatment “widespread and systematic, including beatings, electric shocks, strangulation and prolonged solitary confinement”.
“Most of them reported being subjected to sexual violence, including rape, and being forced to strip.”said Ms. Al-Nashif.
As for the Russian prisoners of war held by Ukraine, they “told our staff that they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, ranging from severe beatings to sexual violence and dog attacks, most often in transit locations before reaching official places of internment”.
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