Russian soldiers were said to have systematically tortured prisoners of war. Image: trapezoid
Russia also relies on torture in its war against Ukraine. The use of sexual violence has received less attention to date.
An article by
In a new report, a United Nations expert accuses Russia of systematically torturing domestic critics and enemy soldiers. The report, filed in New York, said the document documents “how torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is used as a means of systematic state-sanctioned oppression in the Russian Federation.” The report was prepared by Mariana Katzarowa, Russia’s special rapporteur on human rights.
“This is not a new phenomenon in the Russian Federation, but now it has become a coordinated strategy after a full-scale invasion (of Ukraine),” the Bulgarian said. “This is a tool to suppress civilian space and suppress all critics or dissidents of the war who disagree with the policies of the Russian authorities and their so-called special military operations.”
'The numbers in Ukraine are scary'
Sexual violence against men and boys also plays a crucial role in torture, as The Guardian reports, citing further UN data. Accordingly, 236 cases have been discovered so far in the past three years. Because the topic is highly stigmatized, the number of unreported cases is likely to increase significantly.
The All Survivors Project, an aid organization, focuses on helping men and boys who have been victims of sexual violence. “The numbers in Ukraine are frightening,” said Chara Lata Hogg, the NGO's director. However, she praised the current treatment of returned prisoners. Returnees “are given psychological support and interviewed shortly after release, at a time when trauma is intense and survivors find it relatively easy to report their experiences,” Hogg said.
“If I remain silent, it will be as if this never happened.”
Oleksii Siwak from Kherson is one of the survivors. He was imprisoned by Russian forces in his hometown for several weeks in 2022. According to The Guardian, he was tortured with electric shocks to his genitals in a cold basement. Now he works to support other survivors and hopes to break the stigma of sexual violence, which mainly affects men. He said he was unable to get the help he needed immediately upon his return.
“If I remain silent, it will be as if this never happened,” he said. “The reality is that many men are still sitting in basements. If I don't raise my voice, how will those who are not free be heard?”
The UN report continued that since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, torture “has spread as a repressive method at home and abroad.” Russian authorities are rarely held accountable; impunity is part of daily life. Kazarova said that there are at least 1,300 political prisoners in Russia. But the number could also be 1,700 or more. There are also 30 journalists among them.
More information on the war in Ukraine:
Sources used:
You may also be interested in:
Bitcoin nearly reached an all-time high of over $73,000 on Tuesday night.
