The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission presented 2 new reports – on the treatment of prisoners of war and the general situation with human rights in Ukraine for 6 months until January 31, 2023. They were commented by Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets.

The findings of the Mission confirm that the Russian military committed massive war crimes on the territory of Ukraine, violated human rights and disregarded all norms of international humanitarian law. ️

Lubinets stressed that the death and injury of civilians, arbitrary detentions, attacks, executions, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence are the criminal acts that the aggressor commits.

Lubinets appealed to the UN

According to the Ombudsman, it is surprising that during repeated personal meetings with the head of the Mission, Matilda Bogner, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, they never raised the issue of the treatment of Russian prisoners of war.

In addition, I would like to hear unconditional facts and arguments on which the Mission's conclusions are based regarding possible violations by the Ukrainian side. I emphasize once again that Ukraine adheres to the Geneva Conventions, international law and is open to international organizations,” Lubinets stressed.

He added that it was Russia that criminally attacked Ukraine, kills and kidnaps Ukrainian citizens and blocks access to our prisoners of war.

“The scale of inhuman treatment and torture is being hidden. I call on the UN, as well as the entire world community, to put pressure on the Russian Federation and demand access to places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are kept,” summed up the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada.

The UN published a report on the crimes of the Kremlin in Ukraine

According to the UN report, as of January 31, 2023, 133 victims of sexual violence were recorded, covering 45 women, 85 men and three girls.

The terrible price that people pay for war is also evident in the cases of conflict-related sexual violence that we have been recording since February 24 last year, said Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).

The report noted that sexual violence often occurred during detention, as well as in areas under Russian occupation.

However, not only civilians, but also the military suffered at the hands of the invaders. The new report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says that there are facts when the enemy executed the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine without trial or investigation.

In addition, the invaders used our defenders as a “human shield”. At least two more Ukrainian heroes died in captivity due to torture and lack of medical care.