The Russian Federation, as part of its full-scale invasion, is systematically committing enforced disappearances of Ukrainians, which constitute crimes against humanity. This conclusion is contained in a new report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Source: interfax
The scale of enforced disappearances
The Commission emphasizes that Russian forces massively detained civilians in all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The victims of enforced disappearances were representatives of local authorities, civil servants, journalists, activists and other persons whom the occupying authorities considered a threat to their military objectives. In addition, a significant number of prisoners of war were also subjected to enforced disappearances.
The document notes that victims of enforced disappearances were often deported to Russia or sent to detention centers in the occupied territories. After detention, many of them were subjected to torture, sexual violence and other serious human rights violations. Many detainees went missing for months or even years, and some died.
Russia’s deliberate policy of concealing crimes
According to the commission, Russia deliberately conceals the fate and whereabouts of detainees. The Russian authorities provided formal responses to appeals from relatives of the disappeared without specific information. This, according to the experts, indicates that the victims are deliberately deprived of any legal protection.
“Based on the evidence gathered, the commission concluded that acts of enforced disappearances against civilians were carried out in accordance with the coordinated state policy of the Russian Federation. They constitute crimes against humanity,” the report says.
Russian authorities systematically use torture and sexual violence
Earlier, the UN commission had already recognized that Russian law enforcement agencies use systematic torture. New investigations have confirmed that it was the officers of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation who had the highest authority in places of detention. They personally tortured or ordered ill-treatment of prisoners, especially during interrogations.
In addition, the commission documented new cases of rape and sexual violence, including against women prisoners of war. Some of them were held in inhumane conditions, which indicates a deliberate gendered focus of violence.
War crimes against prisoners of war
The Commission also recorded an increase in the number of cases of killings and injuries of Ukrainian soldiers who tried to surrender or were already in captivity. This is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
Investigators managed to obtain testimonies from Russian soldiers who had deserted. Some of them admitted that they had received direct orders “not to take prisoners” and to kill them on the spot.
The need for justice
The UN Commission emphasizes the need to bring to justice all those involved in war crimes and human rights violations. It calls for active investigations and trials, as justice is essential for a peaceful resolution of the situation.
Russian crimes in Ukraine have become systemic, which requires a strong response from the international community and further strengthening of sanctions against the Russian leadership.
