A UN rights council commission has found that jails controlled by Russia in Ukraine are deliberately withholding medical care for Ukrainian prisoners, with doctors in one prison even participating in what is referred to as “torture.” The commission has already concluded that Moscow’s occupying forces are systematically using torture. Commission chair Erik Mose stated in a report to the council that torture has become a common and acceptable practice, with Russian authorities acting with impunity. In addition to torture and rape in prison camps, Mose criticized the lack of adequate medical assistance for those in detention centers controlled by Moscow.
Based on testimonies from former Ukrainian inmates at the Olenivka prison in occupied east Ukraine, the report highlighted an incident on July 29, 2022, where an explosion at the site resulted in the death of many Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia accused Kyiv of bombing the jail, but according to inmates, immediate medical support was not provided to dozens of others who suffered life-threatening injuries. Only doctors from the Ukrainian army detained at the prison attempted to provide care, working in challenging conditions without proper equipment. Many died that night while the leadership of the Olenivka colony did not intervene.
Former inmates at the Olenivka prison were left with grave physical harm and trauma, struggling to reintegrate into civilian life after their release. One prisoner described feeling mentally imprisoned by the trauma inflicted upon him by the Russians, haunted by the fear of being incarcerated again. The financial crisis facing the UN has severely impacted the staffing of the commission’s secretariat and its ability to travel, limiting its ability to investigate violations effectively. The lack of adequate medical care for Ukrainian prisoners in Russian-controlled jails remains a pressing concern.
The report from the UN rights council commission sheds light on ongoing human rights violations in Ukrainian prisons controlled by Russia, including allegations of torture, rape, and inadequate medical care for prisoners. The commission has highlighted the systematic use of torture by Moscow’s occupying forces and the lack of accountability for these actions. The incident at the Olenivka prison, where an explosion resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian prisoners of war and inadequate medical assistance for the injured, exemplifies the dire conditions faced by detainees.
The testimonies of former inmates at the Olenivka prison reveal the physical and psychological scars left by their time in Russian-controlled jails, making it difficult for them to move past the trauma and reintegrate into society. The financial constraints facing the UN have hindered the commission’s ability to effectively investigate human rights violations in Ukraine and provide support to victims. The need for international attention and action to address the ongoing abuses in Russian-controlled prisons in Ukraine is evident in the commission’s report.
In conclusion, the UN rights council commission’s findings expose the grave human rights violations occurring in Ukrainian prisons controlled by Russia, including torture, rape, and lack of medical care for detainees. The report underscores the urgent need for accountability for these actions and justice for the victims. The ongoing financial challenges facing the UN have impacted the commission’s ability to investigate violations effectively, highlighting the importance of continued support for human rights monitoring and advocacy efforts in Ukraine. It is crucial for the international community to take action to address these violations and ensure the protection of all individuals deprived of their fundamental rights in Russian-controlled prisons.
