Statement on Thousands of Ukrainian Prisoners of War Subjected to Inhumane Treatment in Russian Captivity

« We would like to draw attention once again to the urgent question of Ukrainian prisoners of war. From 5000 to 10,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war, including hundreds of women, medics, musicians, as well as thousands of civilians, are still in Russian captivity, subject to torture, ill treatment, beatings, humiliation, intimidation, starvation and executions.

Soldiers from Mariupol, from Azovstal, have been in Russian captivity, subject to inhumane treatment and torture, for over a year, while their families have had no contact with them or information about them. We call on the Russian Federation to stop the illegal show trial over Ukrainian soldiers from Azov regiment, including 8 women who worked in the kitchen, who are now facing 15 years in prison. This trial violates the rights of prisoners of war as combatants under international humanitarian law and the agreements that preceded the decision to end the defense of Azovstal.

We call on this Council to put pressure on the Russian Federation to improve the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, release prisoners of war and captured civilians, as well as to re-open investigation of the terrorist act in the Olenivka facility, enhance the work of the UN Working group on enforced disappearances, UN monitoring mission and the ICRC to gain access to Russian facilities where Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians are held. »