The United Nations (UN) has warned that Russia and affiliated groups may be planning trials for Ukrainian prisoners of war on the country’s independence day on Wednesday.
“We are concerned by reports that the Russian Federation and affiliated armed groups in Donetsk are planning – possibly in the next few days – to try Ukrainian prisoners of war in what is being labeled an ‘international court’ in Mariupol,” the UN spokeswoman said. for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, this Tuesday (23).
“While there are few details available, photos and videos published in the media and on social media appear to show metal cages being built at the Mariupol Philharmonic, apparently to contain prisoners of war during the process,” he added.
Shamdasani said that deliberately depriving prisoners of war of a fair trial is a war crime, and international humanitarian law prohibits the establishment of prisoner courts just to judge war.
On August 12, Ukrainian officials said they expected Russia to start trials in Mariupol.
“The occupiers are turning the Mariupol Philharmonic Hall, the pearl of the city, where only festive events took place, into a place of trial for our prisoners of war and civilians,” said the city’s mayor, Vadym Boichenko.
A correspondent for Zvezda, the Russian Ministry of Defense channel, reported outside the philharmonic hall the same week, noting that “a huge metal structure is being built next to the philharmonic. This is a future hangar, where prison cars with Azov prisoners of war will presumably come.”
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said in a statement that they had submitted a series of new urgent demands to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on guaranteeing the right to life and banning torture in regarding Ukrainian fighters captured at the Azovstal steel plant.
Ukraine demanded that urgent measures be taken to prevent the use of Ukrainian defense lawyers in any kind of “court” or trial, the statement said.
“The holding of any trials of prisoners of war for propaganda purposes is prohibited and equated with war crimes. We appeal to the world with the demand to use all available mechanisms to protect our prisoners of war and bring the Russian Federation and specific individuals to justice for their crimes,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Deputy Justice Minister Iryna Mudra said trials cannot be held for prisoners of war.
“We hope that the ECHR will carefully consider and grant Ukraine’s request,” she said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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