GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said on Friday it had gathered additional evidence of torture by Russian armed forces against Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The body made up of three members, Erik Møse, Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover, describes in a report a “widespread and systematic” phenomenon which could amount to a crime against humanity.
“The victims’ testimonies reveal incessant brutal treatment, causing intense suffering and pain, in detention, without any regard for human dignity,” Commission President Erik Møse told journalists.
Detainees report starving themselves to eat soap, worms and dog food in Russian detention centers.
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A Ukrainian soldier testifying in the report was forced to regularly jump on an injured foot, which caused gangrene. Guards then beat him after he attempted suicide in his cell, causing a broken tailbone and toe. Since his release, this man has undergone 36 surgeries.
“What we have uncovered strongly supports our past findings (on torture),” Eric Møse said.
The report also mentions threats of rape against prisoners and torture of the genitals with electricity.
“We consider it crucial that the commission continues to investigate the alleged violations and crimes so that these documented facts can be used as evidence in present and future courts,” said Ukrainian Ambassador Filipenko Ievheniia.
Russia denies any form of mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The UN Human Rights Council had also documented cases of mistreatment by Ukrainian forces of Russian prisoners.
The report made public on Friday is submitted to the Human Rights Council which created this commission of inquiry in March 2022 and must decide on its renewal for a new one-year mandate.
(Emma Farge report with the contribution of Cecile Mantovani, French version Sophie Louet, edited by Tangi Salaün)
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