The UN-backed panel of human rights experts has reported that Russia’s torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war constitutes a crime against humanity. Erik Møse, the chair of the independent commission investigating human rights violations in Ukraine, stated that the panel has previously characterized the widespread and systematic use of torture by Russian authorities as a war crime.
“Our recent findings confirm that torture has been inflicted by Russian authorities in all regions of Ukraine that came under their control, as well as in detention facilities within Russia itself,” Møse informed reporters. The Russian UN Mission did not respond to requests for comment on the commission’s findings.
Møse emphasized that the commission’s role is investigative, noting that both Ukraine’s prosecutor general and the International Criminal Court are examining potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, and the commission may be called upon to provide evidence.
The commissioners evaluated reports from 41 detention centers across nine occupied regions of Ukraine and eight areas in Russia. They found that the brutal treatment typical of Russian detention facilities was mirrored in those located in Russian-occupied regions of eastern Ukraine. Additionally, the commission uncovered further evidence of sexual violence being routinely used as a form of torture.
Vrinda Gover, a member of the commission, reported that detainees experienced horrific treatment, including rape, forced nudity, and invasive body searches. Most prisoners of war indicated they had been subjected to sexual violence, resulting in long-lasting psychological trauma.
Ukrainians in both Ukrainian and Russian detention facilities described a “brutal so-called admission procedure,” where harsh practices were employed to intimidate, break, and humiliate detainees. Surveillance cameras monitored detainees, and collective punishment was enforced for rule violations, while interrogations frequently included severe violence.
Commission member Pablo de Greiff stated that evidence has emerged revealing an organized structure within Russia that coordinated and facilitated torture in detention facilities. Furthermore, the commission has gathered information indicating that leadership at detention centers or other high-ranking Russian officials either ordered, tolerated, or failed to prevent torture or ill treatment.
Møse concluded by asserting that the evidence demonstrates a coordinated state policy by Russian authorities aimed at torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. This conclusion supports the classification of their actions not only as war crimes but also as crimes against humanity.