The UN Security Council has raised the issue of the torture of Ukrainians held captive by Russia
The UN Security Council held an informal meeting on Ukrainians being held captive by Russia. Participants discussed the unlawful detention of civilians, torture and cruel treatment of prisoners of war, sexual violence, and executions. They also raised the issue of foreign nationals whom Russia is recruiting to fight in the war against Ukraine.
The UN Security Council convened an informal meeting under the Arria formula. It was dedicated to Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law regarding Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. The meeting was initiated by Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. Latvia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, stated that the main goal of the meeting was to draw attention to people whose rights are protected by international humanitarian law and international human rights standards.
According to her, this concerns thousands of Ukrainian civilians whom Russia is detaining without legal grounds. “The purpose of today’s meeting is to focus on the people whom international humanitarian law and international human rights law are meant to protect, but whose rights Russia violates on a daily basis,” said Pavluta-Deslandes.
The Latvian representative emphasized that one of the meeting’s objectives is to draw attention to violations of the Geneva Conventions. Participants were also set to discuss how the international community can help people who are being unlawfully detained in Russia.
Torture and Violence Against Prisoners of War
Separately, during the session, the issue of Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war was raised. Among the issues highlighted were systematic torture, cruel treatment, war-related sexual violence, and cases of executions of Ukrainian servicemen in Russian captivity.
These actions are considered serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions establish rules for the treatment of prisoners of war and protect civilians during armed conflicts. The issue of prisoners of war remains one of the most pressing for Ukraine. Russia is holding both Ukrainian military personnel and civilians, and Kyiv and its international partners regularly call on Moscow to comply with international law and grant international organizations access to the prisoners.
Russia Recruits Foreigners for the War
Another topic of the meeting was the participation of foreign citizens in the war against Ukraine on Russia’s side. Pavlyuta-Deslandes noted that governments in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America have expressed concern over Russian recruitment. According to her, some states are calling on Russia to stop the illegal recruitment of their citizens into the Russian armed forces and military-industrial complex.
“Many governments in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are expressing concern and calling on Russia to stop the illegal recruitment of their citizens into its armed forces and military industry,” said the representative from Latvia. This is an issue that extends far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Russia is attempting to recruit foreigners into the war, particularly citizens of countries that are not direct participants in the conflict. This raises questions about the recruitment methods and the conditions in which these people find themselves after arriving in Russia.
What Is Expected of the UN Security Council
The organizers of the meeting want UN Security Council members not only to discuss the problem but also to seek concrete ways to resolve it. According to Pavliuta-Deslandes, participants should determine what the international community can do to stop violations of international law and protect Ukrainians held captive in Russia.
Informal meetings under the Arria formula allow Security Council members and invited participants to discuss issues in a less formal atmosphere. Such meetings are not Security Council sessions in the usual format, but they do help draw the international community’s attention to issues that require a response. For Ukraine, these discussions are important not only as a way to once again inform the world about the situation with the captives. Kyiv also seeks to increase international pressure on Russia, ensure its compliance with international humanitarian law, and secure the return home of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.
During the meeting, representatives of the countries that initiated the discussion emphasized the need to not ignore those held captive by Russia and to seek international mechanisms for their protection.
Costa Rican diplomat Rebecca Greenspan has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the position of UN Secretary-General. If elected, she could become the first woman in history to lead the United Nations.
