Office of Ombudsman: Russian POWs held in accordance with international requirements

This was reported by the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights following a joint visit with representatives of NGOs to the state institution "Zakhid 1 Prisoner of War Camp".

As noted, the representatives of the National Preventive Mechanism group were provided with unimpeded access to the institution and the opportunity to talk with Russian prisoners of war.

"We received no complaints about the conditions of detention, torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment from prisoners of war," the report reads.

It was established during the visit to the camp that proper household and sanitary-hygienic conditions were created for the prisoners in 2022-2023 which continue to improve. In particular, repair works were carried out in a dormitory where prisoners of war live, in the premises of the food block, and on the roof of production shop No. 2.

The Office of the Ombudsman emphasized that the camp administration ensured the right to correspondence and telephone calls in accordance with the requirements of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War.

"At the time of the visit, more than 2,000 telephone conversations were held. With the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross, 430 letters were sent and 280 received. In addition, the camp administration created jobs for prisoners of war," the report reads.

As reported, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that Russian prisoners of war did not complain about the detention conditions.

Photos: ombudsman.gov.ua