Dozens of Ukrainian officials, journalists and activists opposed to Moscow’s invasion have been arbitrarily detained by Russian forces or disappeared, the UN denounced on Friday, saying some cases amounted to “hostage-taking”. .
In just over a month since the start of the offensive ordered by Vladimir Putin, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has gathered information on the arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of 22 local Ukrainian officials , 13 of whom were later released.
Perhaps the most famous case is that of the mayor of the city of Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine, Ivan Fedorov, who, according to Ukrainian authorities, was kidnapped by Russian occupying forces and detained for several days before being released.
“It seems to be a modus operandi in the areas occupied by the Russian Federation,” said Matilda Bogner, who is the representative of the High Commission in Ukraine, during a point by videoconference.
” Hostage taking “
“In some cases, it appears to be a form of hostage taking,” she said, adding that relatives were not told where these prisoners were being taken.
Ms. Bogner also reported the arrest of 15 journalists and activists “who strongly opposed the invasion” in several regions of the country.
“It does appear that those targeted are pro-Ukrainian activists or who are perceived as pro-Ukrainian by Russian forces,” she said.
She stressed that UN staff were trying to verify reports that five of the journalists and three of the activists had since been released, but “the fate of the others remains unknown”.
Underestimated human toll
Seven journalists have already been killed since the invasion began on February 24, she said. They are among thousands of civilians, as well as thousands of soldiers on both sides, who are believed to have been killed.
The High Commission confirmed the death of 1,081 civilians, including 93 children, according to its very precise methodology, but stressed that the true death toll is much higher.
Thus, Mrs. Bogner gave the example of the besieged city of Mariupol, constantly bombarded by Russian forces, which does not make it possible to formally confirm the number of dead.
For Matilda Bogner, “the scale of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure strongly suggests” that international laws on the protection of civilians have been violated in the Ukrainian conflict, and to insist: “These attacks cause human suffering immeasurable and may constitute war crimes. »