UN Report on Prisoners of War: Torture, Abuse and Sexual Violence

Status: 11/15/2022 5:56 p.m

According to the UN, prisoners of war in the war against Ukraine must suffer torture, humiliation and ill-treatment. This was reported by victims on the Russian and Ukrainian sides. There are also reports of killings.

By Kathrin Hondl, ARD Studio Geneva

Beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence: the head of the UN observer mission in the Ukraine war gave a detailed account of torture and severe abuse of prisoners of war. The team from the United Nations Human Rights Office relies on interviews with the victims.

The UN experts interviewed 159 men and women held in Russian captivity and 175 men held in Ukrainian captivity. “It is important to emphasize that Ukraine gave us confidential access to prisoners of war in detention camps, where we spoke with them,” said the head of the mission, Matilda Bogner. “Russia didn’t give us access, so we only questioned the Ukrainian prisoners of war after they were released.”

Systematic degradation of women

Many Ukrainian POWs have reported severe abuse, which often begins as soon as they are arrested by Russian forces or their allies.

Immediately afterwards, some of them were beaten or had their personal belongings looted. The POWs were then transported to internment camps in worrying conditions – in overcrowded trucks or buses, often with no water or toilets for more than a day. Her hands were tied and her eyes were taped so tightly that her wrists and face were lacerated.

Bogner quoted a prisoner as saying that he could no longer stand the sound of adhesive tape. The Russian guards used it to restrain and torture people. In the Russian camps, Bogner reported, the prisoners were tortured with electric shocks, among other things. They were beaten, attacked by dogs and sexually abused.

Women also reported systematic humiliation in Russian captivity: “Several women reported being beaten, electrocuted and threatened with sexual violence during interrogation. Some were forced to walk naked from one room to another in the presence of male guards. ” According to Bogner, eight people died in a camp in Russia in April.

Russian prisoners report killings

On the other hand, Russian prisoners in Ukraine also reported killings. “We have credible reports of executions of people who were no longer involved in combat operations,” said Bogner. “Also cases of torture and ill-treatment committed by members of the Ukrainian armed forces.”

Many Russians reported being transported on trucks, some naked and with their hands tied behind their backs. Once in the Ukrainian camps, the Russian prisoners were treated appropriately, according to the UN human rights expert.

She recalled the Geneva Convention, which both Ukraine and Russia have signed: the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners of war.

UN: Torture and abuse of prisoners of war in Ukraine war

Kathrin Hondl, ARD Geneva, November 15, 2022 5:00 p.m

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