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Just as the Russian government has started the trials and prosecution process of the captured Ukrainian special forces unit known as the Azov regiments, the United Nations have reported that the soldiers were tortured and put through all manners of abuses by the Russian military.
United Nations expert have described the widespread use of torture by Russian forces in Ukraine could indicate that the severe abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians is “state-endorsed” by Moscow.
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards said on Thursday that she was alarmed by “reports and testimonies” which appeared to indicate that Russian forces in Ukraine are “consistently and intentionally inflicting severe physical and psychological pain and suffering” on both civilian and military prisoners.
The Russian military who questioned the members of the Azov regiments detained in Russia used methods of force such as electric shocks, beatings, hooding, mock executions and other threats of death.
The aforementioned instruments of force has been described as state-endorsed by Moscow. If these allegations are true, it'll amount to war crimes and the soldiers involved will be charged appropriately by the International Court of Justice. Also, if it's true that it's state-endorsed, it'll amount to crime against humanity.
Torture is a war crime and a widespread of torture equals to crimes against humanity. The truth is that all involved in passing down information to junior officers to carry out war crimes will also partake in the punishments.
“The consistency and methods of alleged torture suggests ‘a level of coordination, planning and organisation, as well as the direct authorisation, deliberate policy or official tolerance from superior authorities’,” the UN rapporteur said in a statement.
Those alleged to have been tortured were also often held in “grossly inadequate conditions” in facilities run by Russian forces inside Ukraine.
Those who have reported suffering under Russian torture in Ukraine have been left with physical and psychological injuries, including damage to internal organs, fractures and cracks in bones as well as hallucinations, sensory impairments, strokes and exacerbation of chronic diseases, the UN expert said.
It's obvious that the longer the war the more the reports will be of torture as well as other inhumane treatments of soldiers and civilians by the warring states and so to end these war crimes and crimes against humanity, the warring states should embrace peace.
Both warring states should ensure that civilians and prisoners of war are protected and treated humanely at all times to avoid being prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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