UN / COMMISSION OF INQUIRY UKRAINE

According to the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the “Russian authorities acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy of torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Therefore, in addition to torture as a war crime, they also committed torture as a crime against humanity,” said Erik Mose, a member of the commission, during a press briefing in New York. UNIFEED
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Description

STORY: UN / COMMISSION OF INQUIRRY UKRAINE
TRT: 02:22
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 31 OCTOBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

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Shotlist

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, United Nations headquarters

31 OCTOBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Erik Mose, member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:
“We have concluded that Russian authorities acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy of torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Therefore, in addition to torture as a war crime, they also committed to torture as a crime against humanity.”
4. Wide shot, press briefing room
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Erik Mose, member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:
“This report contains evidence of further common elements, including, first, the transposition of violent practices common in Russian Federation detention facilities to similar facilities in occupied areas of Ukraine. Second, the recurrent use of sexual violence. Third, the deployment of specific services and security forces from the Russian Federation to the occupied areas they controlled in Ukraine, who acted in a coordinated manner and according to a specific division of labor, and fourth, orders of superiors, as well as an appearance sense of impunity among perpetrators.”
6. Wide shot, press briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Vrinda Grover, member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:
“Detainees consistently described the use of the same harsh practices in the same sequence, demonstrating the replication of practices of torture. Testimonies described a brutal so-called admission procedure, harsh practices designed to scare, break, humiliate, coerce and punish detainees were used routinely. Personnel monitored compliance with their rules through surveillance cameras and imposed severe collective punishment for any breach. Interrogations were accompanied by some of the most violent treatment documented.
8. Wide shot, end of press briefing

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Storyline

According to the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the “Russian authorities acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy of torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Therefore, in addition to torture as a war crime, they also committed torture as a crime against humanity,” said Erik Mose, a member of the commission, during a press briefing in New York.

The report highlights violent practices reportedly transported from Russian Federation detention facilities to occupied areas in Ukraine. These included the recurrent use of sexual violence and a division of labor among Russian security forces deployed in Ukrainian territories.

“This report contains evidence of further common elements, including, first, the transposition of violent practices common in Russian Federation detention facilities to similar facilities in occupied areas of Ukraine,” Mose added. “Second, the recurrent use of sexual violence. Third, the deployment of specific services and security forces from the Russian Federation to the occupied areas they controlled in Ukraine, who acted in a coordinated manner and according to a specific division of labor, and fourth, orders of superiors, as well as an apparent sense of impunity among perpetrators.”

Vrinda Grover, another commission member, described a pattern of consistent torture methods used in detention facilities, detailing what she called a “replication of practices” aimed at controlling and punishing detainees.
“Detainees consistently described the use of the same harsh practices in the same sequence, demonstrating the replication of practices of torture,” Grover said. “Testimonies described a brutal so-called admission procedure, harsh practices designed to scare, break, humiliate, coerce, and punish detainees were used routinely. Personnel monitored compliance with their rules through surveillance cameras and imposed severe collective punishment for any breach. Interrogations were accompanied by some of the most violent treatment documented.”

The Commission of Inquiry, established by the Human Rights Council in March 2022, has been investigating alleged human rights violations in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Tuesday's report to the General Assembly marks the Commission's latest findings to date.

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