In any peace negotiations, it is necessary to first take into account the rights of civilians who were seriously affected as a result of this terrible conflict in Ukraine. This was stated by the Supreme Commissioner of the UN Human Rights Folker Turk.
at the weekly press conference of the UN Geneva branch, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UVKPC) Jeremy submitted a new report of the department in which human rights violations have been documented since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022222222222222222222222 years.
According to the report, as of June 2023, 215 civilians “previously in Russian captivity and subsequently released.” The document notes that from the beginning of the conflict, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been subjected to fierce torture and the humiliating dignity in places of imprisonment. “
, in addition, the report says that Russia applies its criminal legislation in the occupied territories, ignoring the norms of international humanitarian law, obliging to comply with those in force in these territories Laws.
“Ukrainian authorities in May 2025 reported that about 1800 Ukrainian civilians are still in custody in the occupied territories for reasons related to conflict,” the document says. At the same time, it is emphasized that the real number of detainees is probably significantly higher.
the report also draws attention to cases of the detention of their own citizens in control of the Ukrainian authorities on accusations of state treason, espionage and other crimes relating to national security. It clearly demonstrates the scale of human rights violations in relation to civil prisoners.
“in the occupied territories of people, they arbitrarily detained right on the streets, making them accusations on an extremely unsteady legal basis. These people are detained for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years, often having a limited relationship with relatives. This terrifying conflict should be a priority in any peace negotiations, ”Turk said.
He recalled that it is always necessary to treat civilians humanely, and emphasized that imprisonment is possible only on the basis of international law. In the case of the disappearance of such grounds, the detainees must be immediately released.