The article discusses the situation in Ukraine, where Russia is using illegal detentions, falsified cases, and torture to intimidate Ukrainians in occupied territories. The goal, according to human rights defenders, is to break the population’s will to resist.
Two groups of Ukrainians are being held captive by Russian authorities:
1. Civilians who were detained without a court decision, often in secret prisons or basements.
2. Those who have been convicted by Russian courts or occupation authorities’ unrecognized courts.
According to Savva, a human rights defender, the Geneva Convention allows for trials of people suspected of engaging in hostile activities, but requires that the trial be “fair and normal.” However, Russian courts are not meeting these standards, and most cases are considered illegal or falsified.
Savva believes that illegally imprisoned civilians have become an instrument for Russia to force Ukraine to surrender. During peace talks in Istanbul, Russia included the release of detained civilians in a “package deal,” but this is seen as a way to use them as leverage to gain concessions from Ukraine.
The exact number of people being held captive by Russia is unknown, and there are no lists or information provided about these prisoners. Families are often left searching for months to find out what happened to their loved ones.
Ukraine has launched the state project “Khochy k svoim” (I want to return to my people) to facilitate the release of civilians in captivity. However, Russia has not responded in good faith and instead handed over Ukrainian convicts who were serving sentences in Ukrainian prisons when Russia occupied southeastern Ukraine in 2022.
Savva believes that Ukraine should take more steps to free these civilians, including filing a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice over Russia’s violations of its obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. He also suggests advocating for new international sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in the illegal detention of Ukrainian civilians.
Overall, the article highlights the human rights abuses committed by Russian authorities in occupied Ukraine and the need for more action to be taken to free those being held captive.
