Russian security forces used a knife to carve the inscription “RF” on the chest of a detained Ukrainian, - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
OHCHR has prepared a new report on human rights on the territory of Ukraine, including in settlements occupied by Russian troops.
At least 100 Ukrainian civilians (88 men, 11 women and 1 girl) have died after being detained by Russian authorities since February 24, 2022, according to the report.
"These people died as a result of execution, injuries received during torture, inhumane acts, conditions of detention or lack of medical care,” the document says.
“In one case of torture confirmed during the reporting period, Russian military personnel detained a man in the Kherson region in October 2022 on suspicion of passing information to Ukrainian authorities. While held in two unofficial detention centers, Russian security forces subjected him to prolonged beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, cigarette burns, and mutilation, including carving the letters “RF” into his body with a knife. He was kept in severely overcrowded cells and was denied adequate food and medical care. He was released in May 2023 after seven months of imprisonment,” one example of torture is given in the OHCHR document.
The report states that since 24 February 2022, OHCHR has documented 169 cases of sexual violence in custody. (101 men, 63 women, 4 girls, 1 boy). These rapes, according to the department, were committed by Russian military personnel, law enforcement officers or employees of penitentiary institutions. Rapes are often committed against Ukrainian prisoners of war, the report says. The same cases have been recorded on the Ukrainian side, according to the UN.
“OHCHR documented two cases of conflict-related sexual violence against male prisoners of war, committed by members of the Ukrainian armed forces before their transfer to designated internment sites. These cases occurred before the reporting period. OHCHR also documented one incident of sexual violence against a male prisoner of war that occurred during the reporting period,” the report said.
Separately, UN experts draw attention to the trials of Ukrainian military personnel on the territory of the Russian Federation or occupied territories simply because they served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Geneva Convention and international law, “ combatants enjoy combatant immunity and cannot be prosecuted merely for participation in hostilities or for lawful acts of war committed during an armed conflict, even if such acts would otherwise constitute a crime under domestic law " But on at least six occasions between August 1 and November 30, 2023, the Russian-appointed “Supreme Court” of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” sentenced Ukrainian prisoners of war to 22 years or life in prison for membership in the Azov Battalion, the report says.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also raises the issue with the UOC in Ukraine, noting that persecution of members of the UOC often violates the right to freedom of religion.
“On August 7, the Vinnitsa City Court sentenced Metropolitan Jonathan of the UOC to five years in prison <...> During the trial, the defense argued that material evidence was planted during the search. <…> Numerous violations of fair trial principles were recorded in this case,” the UN said.
