UN report highlights deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine – JURIST
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) released a report on Tuesday highlighting Ukraine’s deteriorating human rights situation. 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 covered the period from September to November 2024 and documented intensified military operations by Russian forces, which have led to increased civilian deaths and injuries. The report also highlighted the imposition of Russian laws on occupied territories, compelling residents to acquire Russian citizenship to maintain property rights. The HRMMU noted 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 highlighted a troubling increase in credible allegations regarding the execution of Ukrainian POWs, documenting at least 62 victims across 19 separate incidents since August 2024. The report further indicated that all interviewed POWs experienced severe torture, including beatings and electric shocks, highlighting a systematic pattern of abuse against captured individuals.
The report is rooted in 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 highlighted 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.
