\n<\/p>\n
Matilda Bogner was presenting some of the findings of its latest report to journalists in Geneva, Switzerland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The conflict is now in its seventh month and her team has corroborated 14,059 civilian casualties to date, with 5,767 people killed and 8,292 injured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we have repeatedly said, we know that actual numbers are likely considerably higher,<\/strong>\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ms. Bogner was speaking from the city of Odesa in southern Ukraine. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has been in the country since 2014, following the start of fighting in the east between government forces and separatists. \u00a0<\/p>\n Its latest report will be issued on 27 September.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other findings reveal at least 416 verified victims of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearance in Russian-occupied territory or areas under its control. Sixteen were found dead, while 166 were released.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, 51 arbitrary arrests and 30 more cases that may amount to enforced disappearance were perpetrated by Ukrainian law enforcement bodies.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Mission has also documented a range of violations against prisoners of war. While staff have been granted unimpeded access to places of internment and detention in Ukrainian-controlled territory, Russia has not provided access to prisoners of war held on its territory or in territory under occupation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all the more worrying since we have documented that prisoners of war in the power of the Russian Federation and held by the Russian Federation\u2019s armed forces or by affiliated armed groups have suffered torture and ill-treatment, and in some places of detention lack adequate food, water, healthcare and sanitation,\u201d said Ms. Bogner.\u00a0<\/p>\n They have also been informed of the dire health situation at the penal colony in Olenivka, located in the east.<\/p>\n Many Ukrainian prisoners of war there are reportedly suffering from hepatitis A, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. Additionally, many have not been allowed to contact their relatives, depriving their families of the right to know what has happened to them. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have also been following the cases of several pregnant prisoners of war <\/strong>interned in places controlled by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups. We urge the Russian Federation, as the detaining power, to consider the immediate release of these women<\/strong> on humanitarian grounds,\u201d said Ms. Bogner.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Mission has also documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners of war in Government-controlled territory, usually upon capture, during initial interrogations or transportation to internment camps. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur Mission has been able to visit a Ukrainian prisoner of war camp. We note, however, that most prisoners of war continue to be held in penitentiary facilities, violating the rule that prisoners of war shall not be interned in close confinement<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\nHearing from victims\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Status of prisoners of war\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Appeal to Russia<\/h2>\n