UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine finds additional evidence of common patterns of torture by Russian authorities

The wide geographic spread of locations and the prevalence of shared patterns in the way torture is committed demonstrate that torture has been used as a common and acceptable practice with a sense of impunity, the Commission said in its latest update to the Human Rights Council today. 

The Commission’s further investigation into cases of torture provides evidence that Russian authorities committed torture in the Ukrainian regions where they have taken control of territories. The new evidence reinforces the Commission’s previous finding that torture committed by Russian authorities has been widespread.

The Commission has identified additional common elements in the use of torture by Russian authorities, reinforcing its earlier finding that this was systematic. One element is the consistency of violent practices imposed in detention centres where detainees from Ukraine have been held in the Russian Federation, and the replication of these practices in several large penitentiary centres in occupied areas of Ukraine.

Another common element emerging from the evidence points towards a coordinated use of personnel from specific services of the Russian Federation involved in torture in all the detention facilities investigated by the Commission. 

A further common feature is the recurrent use of sexual violence, mainly against male victims, as a form of torture in almost all of these detention centres.  

Moreover, the Commission notes testimonies of former detainees about penitentiary personnel in the Russian Federation referring to orders to inflict brutal treatment. Testimonies also illustrate that in some detention facilities higher ranking Russian authorities ordered, tolerated, or took no action to stop such treatment. 

A civilian man subjected to torture for ten consecutive days told the Commission: "The scariest thing was that the perpetrators were doing everything in silence, and very professionally. I understood they were doing this to many people, and they did not perceive us as human beings.” 

These violations have left many of the victims with grave or irreparable physical harm and trauma. Most of them emphasised the deep psychological impact of these experiences for them and their families. 

Some victims reported immense challenges in reintegrating into the society and relating to their loved ones. They invoked a need for psychological and social support for themselves and their families. 

The Commission has also continued its documentation of attacks with explosive weapons affecting civilian objects in populated areas with devastating consequences. It investigated attacks that struck medical institutions, cultural objects, residential buildings, and supermarkets in territories under Ukrainian Government control.

Pursuing its investigation of Russian Federation’s large-scale waves of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — some of which have resulted in power outages affecting millions of civilians — the Commission has found new evidence of the impact of such attacks on the health and well-being of the population.

The blackouts have particularly affected certain categories of the population. Older persons and persons with disabilities have, for instance, suffered from difficulties to access shelters during emergencies, reduced access to life-saving medical devices, and increased isolation, which accentuated their vulnerabilities. 

The power outages have also led to disruptions of online education, resulting in greater losses for displaced children and children with disabilities, who are more likely to enrol in remote education.  

The Commission reiterated the importance of continuing investigations, identification of perpetrators, and accountability, as well as comprehensive support for victims. It calls upon all parties to cooperate and coordinate their efforts on these important matters. 

The oral update statement as presented to the UN Human Rights Council can be found here.

The Members of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine are available for interviews.

Background: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The Commission will submit reports of its activities to the General Assembly in October 2023, and to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2024. The Commission comprises Erik Møse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover.

More information on the work of the Commission can be found at the link.

For media requests and queries, please contact: Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Media Adviser, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine; at saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org or (+43-1) 26060-83450 or (+43-676) 3493464; or Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the UN Human Rights Council’s Investigative Missions, todd.pitman@un.org or (+41) 76 691 1761; or Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer, at simp@un.org.