War against Ukraine: UN office in Kiev: Prisoners of war are tortured

The UN Human Rights Office has documented torture and ill-treatment of British and Russian prisoners of war. However, Ukrainians said they were affected throughout their captivity, while Russians were safe when they arrived in detention camps, said Danielle Bell, head of the U.N. human rights monitoring mission in the Ukraine. Several hundred prisoners on both sides were questioned.

The Ukrainian prisoners of war experienced “far-reaching and systematic torture», both during arrest and in various internment camps and prisons, in the occupied territories in Ukraine and Russia.

Also deaths because of conditions

They reported, among other things, mock executions, dog attacks and sexual violence, a lack of medical care and too little food. At least ten Ukrainians have died due to these conditions. Russia does not allow permanent demand access to Russian prisoners of war. The UN staff spoke to them after their release.

The team has unrestricted access to the Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine. They had reported beatings and torture during arrest or transport. However, they were treated correctly in the internment camps and the facilities met international standards, she said.

All abuses would be condemned, Bell emphasized. Those responsible must be held accountable. “The difference between the treatment of the Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war is one of scope and scale,” Bell said.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:241001-930-248715/1