Civilian detainees face torture in Russian-occupied Ukraine – UN

This is stated in a report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ukrinform reports.

According to the report, most of the 215 released civilian detainees interviewed by OHCHR since June 2023 described severe beatings in captivity, electric shocks, mock executions, prolonged stress positions, mock executions, prolonged stress positions, and threats of death and violence to them or their loved ones, and instances of sexual violence. Interviewees also reported poor detention conditions, including food shortages and inadequate medical care.

The report notes that Russia applies its own criminal law in the occupied territories of Ukraine, disregarding its obligations under international humanitarian law to respect the laws in force in the occupied territory, unless absolutely prevented.

According to Ukrainian authorities, as of May 2025, about 1,800 Ukrainian civilians remained imprisoned by Russia in occupied territories. However, the actual number of detainees is likely significantly higher.

Families of detainees either have no information about them or receive only limited details, the UN stressed.

“People have been arbitrarily picked off the streets in occupied territory, charged under shifting legal bases and held for days, weeks, months and even years, often with limited contact with their families,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

He emphasized that it is essential that “the human rights of civilian detainees, who have been severely impacted by this terrible conflict, are prioritised in any peace talks.”

As reported earlier, on September 17, Russia’s State Duma denounced the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Illustrative photo: Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences, Facebook