HRW: Ukraine must stop violating the rights of Russian prisoners of war

Human Rights Watch is urging Ukraine to stop directing appearances of Russian prisoners of war because it violates the Geneva Conventions, according to a statement.

“Ukrainian authorities must stop posting on social networking sites and video messaging services with Russian prisoners of war in order to expose them to public view, especially those who are being reduced or threatened,” the statement said.

“Such treatment of prisoners of war violates the protection provided by the Geneva Conventions,” the NGO added, referring to international humanitarian law.

Ukraine has released a video showing Russian detainees in front of journalists, forcing them to make a statement of remorse, an instrumentalization of which was also denounced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which reminded that detained soldiers should have dignity. treatment.

“The obligation to protect prisoners of war from the curiosity of the public, as well as to protect them from intimidation or humiliation, is part of what is needed to ensure their humane treatment and to protect their families,” Isling said in a statement. Raidy, legal advisor to the NGO.

Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia on February 24, is implementing a massive and effective communication strategy, mainly on its social networking sites, to its population, to the Russians, and to the international community.

The Observatory says it wrote to the Ukrainian authorities on March 10 and has not received a response.

The group adds that it has also documented numerous violations of the rules of war and possible war crimes committed by the Russians.

“Violations by Russian forces are numerous and widespread, causing damage to civilians,” Reidi said. “At the same time, Ukraine has clear obligations to comply with, including the lawful treatment of prisoners of war.”