The most recent visual discoveries from the commission established by the Human Rights Council two years ago regarding Ukraine, demonstrate the ongoing severe consequences of Russia’s complete invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

“I have no hope left and no desire to continue living,” said a Ukrainian soldier and ex-prisoner of war in front of the Commission of Inquiry. He recounted being subjected to relentless torture, resulting in broken bones, teeth, and a foot that eventually developed gangrene.

According to Erik Møse, the Chair of the Commission, the soldier, who attempted suicide at a prison in Donskoy, located in the Tula region in southern Moscow, reported being subjected to more beatings by his captors.

The victims’ statements reveal continuous, cruel mistreatment that causes intense agony and distress while being held for an extended period of time, showing no concern for human worth. He relayed this to reporters in Geneva, stating that it has resulted in lasting damage to their physical and mental well-being.

“The investigators reported that the victim was beaten on his buttocks in the isolation ward, resulting in bleeding from his anus. In the yard, he was also beaten on his face and injured foot, causing bleeding. Some of his teeth were knocked out and he begged his assailants to kill him.”

At a press conference in Geneva, OHCHR moderator Todd Pitman joined Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine Chair Erik Møse and Commissioner Vrinda Grover.

Rape, beatings

According to the Commissioners, accounts of rape and other forms of sexual assault on women can be considered as torture, as they noted examples such as threats of sexual violence towards male prisoners of war and the infliction of electric shocks on detainees as a means of causing harm or humiliation.

“There were beatings, verbal abuse, electronic devices being used on areas, body parts, there was very limited access to food, water necessities,’ Mr. Møse continued. “The whole treatment of the prisoners of war and the picture drawn up, emerging from the way they were dealt with – how they were treated over long periods, months – enables us to use the word ‘horrific’”.

Graphic testimony

The report, which spans 20 pages, gathers accounts from numerous individuals to probe into reported instances of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces and authorities.

The article covers the attack and random shelling of Mariupol during the beginning of the invasion, the inhumane treatment of civilians and captured individuals with torture and sexual assault, the illegal transport of 46 minors from a caretaking facility in Kherson to Russian-occupied Crimea in October 2022, and the destruction and harm of culturally significant sites.

“The evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law and corresponding war crimes,” insisted Commissioner Vrinda Grover. “Further investigations are required to determine whether some of the situations identified may constitute crimes against humanity.”

The city of Mariupol and its dangerous passage known as the “road to death”.

The report described the experience endured by those trapped in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Survivors emerged from shelters and remembered seeing numerous bodies on the streets, in the rubble of their homes, and in the city’s hospitals.

According to investigators, approximately 58 medical centers and 11 power stations were destroyed. Women who fled on foot from the front line described the journey as “the road to death” and expressed a widespread sense of fear.

According to independent experts, who are not UN employees, the Russian military frequently neglected to check if their targets were civilian objects before attacking them.

Genocidal intent concerns

Reiterating ongoing serious worries about claims of plans for genocide by the invading troops, Ms. Grover stated that the investigation, mandated by the Human Rights Council, will thoroughly examine possible instances of explicit calls for genocide through Russian media.

“We have thoroughly reviewed numerous statements and have discovered that a significant amount of them contain dehumanizing language and incite hate, violence, and destruction,” she stated. “We are troubled by statements that endorse the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and advocate for the mass killings of individuals.”

The presentation of the report to the Human Rights Council will take place on Tuesday, March 19. To view the event in Geneva, visit: https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule/2024-03-19

Source: news.un.org