Generalized, systematic and with common patterns. The use of torture by the Russian authorities is the result of a coordinated state policy and, therefore, constitutes a crime against humanity, as concluded by the independent commission of experts sent by the UN to Ukraine.
In the latest report it has presented to the General Assembly, the third, the so-called Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine recalls that it had previously concluded that this use of torture constituted war crimes, another category. “Based on our evidence, we have concluded that the Russian authorities have acted in accordance with a coordinated state policy to torture Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war and have therefore committed crimes against humanity,” says Erik Møse , president of the commission, in a statement.
As the researchers explain, now, “other cases of torture against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war have demonstrated the use of torture in all areas under Russian control in Ukraine and in the detention centers that it has investigated in Russia.” In its previous reports, the commission had already established that the practice of torture by Russian authorities was “widespread” and common patterns “also showed that it was systematic.” “These patterns refer to the categories of people targeted, the objective for which torture is used, and the methods used,” he says.
Experts sent by the UN have now identified other common elements, such as the repetition of violent practices used in Russian detention centers in similar centers in areas under Moscow control in Ukraine. “Former detainees consistently described the same harsh practices designed to frighten, disrupt, humiliate, coerce and punish. The evidence further demonstrates that the Russian authorities deployed specific services and security forces of the Russian Federation in various detention centers in the occupied areas they controlled in Ukraine. “These services and forces acted in a coordinated manner, and in accordance with a specific division of labor, in the perpetration of torture.”
Sexual violence as a form of torture has also been recurrent in detention centers, mainly against men. “One of them declared having been subjected to electric shocks with a stun gun on the genitals at least six times,” explains the commission, which also points out that, according to the victims and witnesses, many officials openly perpetrated torture, “with an apparent sensation of impunity.”
Detainees also face a “general absence or denial of medical assistance” in the centers. Torture victims told experts that they suffer physical pain and trauma, “with lasting or irreparable consequences,” and face “immense” psychological problems.
The researchers also allude in the document to the continuous waves of attacks carried out by the Russian Army against Ukrainian energy infrastructure that have caused blackouts that have affected millions of civilians. “Among other consequences, electricity cuts have restricted the enjoyment of the rights to health and education, with serious effects on children, the elderly and people with disabilities or medical problems. “They described feelings of anguish, anxiety and isolation.” On the other hand, they also continue to investigate the attacks with explosive weapons that hit civilians and civilian targets on all sides of the front line.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is made up of three experts – Erik Møse, Vrinda Grover and Pablo de Greiff – and was created by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate rights violations and abuses committed in the context of the Russian invasion. They had previously concluded that Russian authorities have committed a “wide variety” of violations of international law in various regions of the country, many of which amount to war crimes.
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