UN report finds deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine News
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UN report finds deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) released a report on Tuesday highlighting Ukraine’s deteriorating human rights situation in the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion. The findings underscore Russia’s persistent efforts to consolidate its control over occupied Ukrainian territories, revealing a rise in civilian casualties, ongoing executions, and the torture of prisoners of war (POWs).

The report covers the period from September to November 2024 and documents intensified military operations by Russian forces, which have led to increased civilian deaths and injuries. The report also stresses the imposition of Russian laws on occupied territories, compelling residents to acquire Russian citizenship to maintain property rights. The HRMMU notes that these practices carried out by Russia not only undermine international humanitarian law but also complicate the return of displaced individuals to their homes.

Additionally, the HRMMU found a troubling increase in credible allegations regarding the execution of Ukrainian POWs, documenting at least 62 victims across 19 separate incidents since August. The report further indicates that all interviewed POWs experienced severe torture, including beatings and electric shocks, pointing to a systematic pattern of abuse against captured individuals.

The report comes in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. Numerous human rights organizations have provided extensive documentation of abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine, including indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and the war crimes of torture and summary executions. The HRMMU has consistently reported on the systematic nature of these abuses. In earlier reports, the mission documented over 900 cases of arbitrary detention by Russian forces, with a staggering 91 percent of detainees subjected to torture and ill-treatment.

Several international organizations have further underscored significant civilian casualties resulting from missile strikes and unlawful attacks on populated areas, particularly in regions like Kharkiv and Izium. Rights groups have also raised alarm over the sharp rise in domestic violence amid the conflict, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. As the conflict enters its third year, the implications for human rights and humanitarian conditions remain dire. With millions displaced and urgent needs unmet, activists demand immediate international attention and action to uphold human rights standards and protect those caught in the crossfire of the nearly three-year conflict.

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