Edited News , Press Conferences | HRC
'Systematic and widespread' use of torture: UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine expressed concern on Monday over the "continuous evidence" of war crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine and presented in the investigators' latest update to the UN Human Rights Council.
Briefing reporters in Geneva, Commission Chair Erik Møse highlighted the "scale and gravity of violations" and emphasized the need for accountability.
“At this stage of the Commission’s work, it is undertaking more in-depth investigations regarding unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, attacks affecting civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based evidence, and attacks on energy infrastructure,” Mr. Møse said. “This may also clarify whether torture or attacks on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity.”
Since its establishment by the Human Rights Council in March 2022, the Commission has travelled over ten times to Ukraine. Recently, the three Commissioners visited the country to interact with authorities at various levels in Kyiv. The Commission expressed regret over the fact that "all communications addressed to the Russian Federation remain unanswered".
According to Commissioner Vrinda Grover, “attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas have led to extensive destruction and damage and have been the leading cause of deaths and injuries among the civilian population”. She added that the Commission deplored that "attacks by Russian armed forces harming civilian and medical facilities, which have protected status, continue to take place”.
The Commission also deplored the fact that conflict-related sexual violence continues to take place "in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.”
The use of torture by Russian armed forces has been "widespread and systematic", said Commissioner Pablo de Greiff, and it has been taking place in different regions "on the basis of the same methods". It seems to be a "common practice", particularly in places of detention that are under Russian control for extended periods of time, he said. The main targets of torture were persons accused of being informants of the Ukrainian armed forces.
The Commission stated mentioned that in some cases, torture was inflicted with such brutality that it caused the death of the victim.
The UN-appointed independent rights investigators also expressed concern about allegations of genocide in Ukraine. “We are looking further into these issues," said Mr. Møse. "And in connection to that, we also mentioned that one aspect of this may be the question of incitement, which comes from certain Russian media".
The Commission also recalled the need for the Ukrainian authorities to "expeditiously and thoroughly" investigate the few cases of violations by its own forces. “There is a large difference between the Russian violations, the extent of those violations and the incidents we found on the Ukrainian side. We talk consistently about a large number of violations on the Russian side and a few incidents on the Ukrainian side. So, it’s important to take this into account,” said Mr. Møse.
The Commissioners underscored the paramount importance of judicial and non-judicial accountability, including measures that support the needs of the victims, such as effective mental health and psychosocial support.
The mandate of the Commission of Inquiry was extended by the Council last April for a further period of one year. Its next report to the General Assembly is due in October.
-ends-
Story: Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
DURATION (TRT): 3’27"
SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16/9
DATELINE: 25 September 2023, GENEVA SWITZERLAND
FORMAT: HYBRID PRESS BRIEFING
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani today urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to reject a bill that was recently endorsed by parliament allowing trials of civilians in military courts. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed on 20 May and now awaits presidential signature to become law, among others broadens the jurisdiction of military courts, authorising them to try a wide range of offences against civilians.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango today warned of a further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan at the bi-weekly briefing in Geneva.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | WHO , WMO , OCHA , UNHCR , OHCHR , UNDRR
Michele Zaccheo, Chief, UNTV, Radio and Webcast Section, United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WHO
Syria: ‘Staggering’ needs amid insecurity, health care crisis - UN humanitarians
Millions of people in Syria continue to face mortal danger from unexploded munitions, disease and malnutrition and urgent support is required, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNRWA , OCHA , WHO
UN life-saving aid allowed to trickle into Gaza as civilian needs mount
Amid calls for more humanitarian trucks to enter the food and medicine-deprived Palestinian enclave of Gaza, UN humanitarians have received permission from Israel for “around 100” more aid trucks to cross into the Strip after only five were let in yesterday, But the scale of relief efforts allowed remains entirely insufficient to meet the urgent needs of people there, humanitarian workers say.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | WHO , UNRWA , UNHCR
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization.
1
1
1
Edited News
A war reporter from Lebanon who lost a limb in the line of duty is calling for an end to impunity for attacks against journalists.
1
1
1
Edited News | ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) commemorated 160 years dedicated to connecting the world on Saturday, 17 May in Geneva, Switzerland, during the annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , OCHA
Gazans ‘in terror’ after another night of deadly strikes and siege
Amid reports that Israeli strikes across Gaza into Friday killed at least 64 people, aid teams once again pushed back strongly at allegations that aid is being diverted to Hamas and pleaded for the blockade to end.
1
1
2
Press Conferences | OCHA , WHO , OHCHR , UNCTAD
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Trade and Development, and the United Nations Refugee Agency.
1
2
1
Press Conferences | WHO
Launch of World Health Statistics 2025
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Deportations over recent months of large numbers of non-nationals from the United States of America, especially to countries other than those of their origin, raise a number of human rights concerns, the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned on Tuesday.