HRW calls on Ukraine to stop violating the rights of Russian prisoners

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization demanded that Ukraine stop publicly displaying Russian prisoners of war, noting that it violates the Geneva conventions.

“Ukrainian authorities must stop posting videos of imprisoned Russian soldiers on social media and messaging for public exposure, especially those who are humiliating or threatening,” HRW said in a statement.

“Such treatment of prisoners of war violates the protections provided for in the Geneva conventions” on international humanitarian law, he added.

Ukraine has released videos of Russian prisoners and paraded them to the press, forcing them to express repentance, an instrumentalization that was also denounced by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“The obligation to protect prisoners of war from public curiosity, as well as to protect them from intimidation and humiliation is part of the requirements to ensure humane treatment and protect their families,” Aisling Reidy, the organization's legal adviser, stated in the statement.

Attacked by Russia since February 24, Ukraine launched a massive and effective communication strategy, especially on social media, aimed at its population, Russians and the international community.

HRW said it wrote about the issue to the Ukrainian authorities on March 10 and is still awaiting a response.

He indicated that he documented numerous violations of the rules of war and possible crimes attributed to Russian forces.

“Violations by Russian forces are numerous and widespread, wreaking havoc among civilians,” Reidy said. “At the same time, Ukraine clearly has obligations to respect, such as the legal treatment of prisoners of war.”

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