Ukrainians deprived of medical care and tortured by doctors in Russian prisons | War in Ukraine

Ukrainians are being deliberately deprived of medical care in Russian prisons and doctors have even taken part in torture sessions in one of the penitentiaries, a Human Rights Council commission of inquiry revealed on Monday.

The Commission, established to investigate human rights abuses in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, had previously concluded that systematic torture by the Russian occupying forces.

But in her oral report to the Council on Monday, she stressed that the vast geographical area and the similarity of the methods used demonstrate that torture was used as a common and acceptable practice by the Russian authorities, with a sense of impunity.

But beyond the systematic torture and rape in prison camps or the rape of women in towns and villages occupied by Russian troops, the Commission notes the lack of adequate medical help for those who desperately needed it in numerous detention centers controlled by the Russian authorities.

In one of these centres, prison doctors even took part in the torture sessions.underlines the chairman of the commission, Erik Mose, in his oral report to the Council.

No medical assistance despite serious injuries

As an example, Mr. Mose cites the testimonies of former Ukrainian prisoners from Olenivka prison in Ukraine.

On July 29, 2022, an explosion in the Olenivka detention center resulted in the death of many Ukrainian prisoners.

The Russians blame the Ukrainians for bombing the prison. The Ukrainians, their Western allies and many analysts believe that the Russians were behind the explosion.

According to witnesses, No immediate medical assistance was provided to dozens of others who suffered life-threatening injuriessays Mr. Mose.

Only military doctors, themselves prisoners, attempted to provide assistance to the wounded, the report emphasizes.

They saw many people die that night, while the leaders of the Olenivka settlement stood by and watched.

Huge aftereffects

The physical and psychological after-effects are profound and the mental health needs are enormous, according to the testimonies collected by the Commission.

I was haunted by the fear of being imprisoned again. I am physically home, but I still feel mentally imprisoned by the trauma inflicted on me by the Russians.testifies one of these former tortured prisoners.

Many victims have expressed the vital need for justice to be done and the Commission President stressed the need to continue collecting evidence.

He regretted that the financial crisis facing the UN had severely impacted the Commission Secretariat’s staffing levels and its ability to travel.