UN Commission of Inquiry: Continuing human rights violations in Ukraine seriously affect civilians
New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine stated that it documented additional evidence indicating that the Russian authorities committed indiscriminate attacks and war crimes of torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and the deportation of children to Russia. According to what the United Nations published in its daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Saturday morning.
This was stated in the committee’s report, which was published yesterday, Friday, and is scheduled to be submitted to the United Nations General Assembly. The report indicated that the continuation of the armed conflict in Ukraine for the second year has exacerbated the suffering of thousands of affected civilians.
The commission reported the killing and injury of civilians and the destruction and damage to civilian objects as a result of additional indiscriminate attacks launched by the Russian armed forces, using explosive weapons.
For example, 24 civilians – mostly women and children – were killed as a result of an attack on a multi-storey apartment building in Uman, Cherkasy region, in April 2023. Part of the building has become uninhabitable. Committee members spoke with residents of the building during their recent visit to Ukraine.
The committee stated that its investigations confirmed its previous conclusions that the Russian authorities used torture in a widespread and systematic manner in various types of detention facilities.

A profound disregard for human dignity
In addition to the Commission's previous findings on torture in Ukraine and detention facilities in Russia, new evidence contained in this report - collected in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions - shows the same pattern of torture used in areas under the control of the Russian authorities.

In the cases investigated, the perpetrators mainly tortured men suspected of passing information to the Ukrainian authorities, or supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
Interviews with victims and witnesses showed a profound disregard for human dignity by the Russian authorities in these circumstances. Eyewitnesses spoke of cases in which torture was committed brutally, leading to the death of the victim.
In a school detention center in the village of Belyaevka, Kherson region, detainees sought medical care when one of the victims showed signs of respiratory distress immediately after being tortured. But the Russian armed forces refused, and the victim died within an hour.

Emphasize the importance of accountability
Recent investigations conducted by the Commission in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions show that rape and other forms of sexual violence are often committed along with additional acts of violence against victims.
The report stated: “A 75-year-old woman, who remained alone to protect her property, was assaulted by a Russian soldier who beat her in the face, chest, and ribs, and choked her during interrogation. He ordered her to take off her clothes, and when she refused, he tore off her clothes, cut her stomach with a sharp object, and raped her several times.” .
The traumatic experiences described in the report have serious, long-term consequences on the physical and mental health of the victims, the report stated.
The report contains three cases in which investigations showed that the Ukrainian authorities committed human rights violations against people they accused of cooperating with the Russian authorities.
The Committee reaffirms the importance of accountability in all its dimensions, with full respect and care for the rights of victims.