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<\/p>\n
In an oral update to members, Erik M\u00f8se, chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, said it has documented new cases of torture committed by Russian authorities against civilians and prisoners of war in occupied areas of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe gathered evidence of sexual violence used as torture, mainly against male victims in detention, and of rapes targeting women in villages under Russian control,\u201d he\u00a0said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wide geographic spread of locations where torture was committed and the prevalence of shared patterns demonstrate that torture has been used as a common and acceptable practice by Russian authorities, with a sense of impunity<\/strong>,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The three-member Commission was established roughly a week after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. It has previously highlighted how torture committed by Russian authorities has been both widespread and systematic.<\/p>\n Mr. M\u00f8se said recent investigations show that Russian authorities have committed torture in Ukrainian regions under Russian control, thus reinforcing the finding that torture has been widespread, while additional common elements uphold that it has been systematic.<\/p>\n \u202f\u201cOne element is the consistency of practices in detention centres where detainees from Ukraine have been held in the Russian Federation, and the replication of these practices in several large penitentiary centres in occupied areas of Ukraine,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnother common element emerging from the evidence points towards a coordinated use of personnel from specific services of the Russian Federation<\/strong> who are involved in torture in all the detention facilities investigated by the Commission. A further common feature is the recurrent use of sexual violence as a form of torture in almost all these detention centres.\u201d<\/p>\n The Commission also cited the testimonies of former detainees who said prison staff in the Russian Federation referred to orders<\/strong> to inflict brutal treatment.\u00a0 Furthermore, in some facilities higher ranking authorities ordered, tolerated or took no action towards stopping it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor instance, in a detention centre in occupied territories of Ukraine, a witness described the arrival of a penitentiary official from the Russian Federation who introduced himself to the detainees, stating, \u2018I broke everyone and will do the same to you\u2019\u201d, said Mr. M\u00f8se.\u00a0<\/p>\n He noted that \u201ca disturbing factor\u201d reported in many detention facilities was the lack of adequate medical assistance. \u201cIn one facility, even penitentiary doctors participated in the torture<\/strong>,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr. M\u00f8se said one egregious illustration was provided through compelling testimonies of former detainees at the Volnovakha Correctional Colony in Ukraine, known as Olenivka, where a blast on 29 July 2022 led to the death of many Ukrainian prisoners of war.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to them, no immediate medical support was provided<\/strong> to dozens of others who suffered life-threatening injuries. Ukrainian military doctors, detained in the colony, were the only ones attempting to deliver first aid during that night,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey recounted assisting fellow soldiers, in the dark and without vital medical equipment, using the small amount of supplies remaining in their own first-aid kits and bed sheets for bandages. They saw many die that night<\/strong>, while the leadership of the Olenivka colony stood by and watched.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. M\u00f8se said these violations have left many victims with grave or irreparable physical harm and trauma, with deep psychological impacts for both them and their families.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMany victims expressed a vital need for justice to be done<\/strong>,\u201d he said. \u201cThe Commission reiterates the importance of continuing investigations, identification of perpetrators, and accountability, as well as comprehensive support for victims.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Commission also continued documenting attacks with explosive weapons affecting civilian objects in populated areas, with devastating consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n It investigated attacks that struck medical institutions, cultural objects, residential buildings, and supermarkets in territories under Ukrainian Government control.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nConsistency and coordination<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Brutal treatment tolerated<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Olenivka prison blast<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Victims call for justice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Attacks on hospitals, supermarkets<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n