Global Experts Demand Justice as Russia’s War Against Ukraine Enters Fourth Year

UN experts, human rights defenders, and civil society groups emphasize the urgent need for accountability, warning that discussions on settling the war must not exclude Ukraine.

As Russia's aggression against Ukraine marks its fourth year, the global community faces a stark reality: without accountability and justice, there can be no peace. UN experts, human rights defenders, and civil society groups emphasize the urgent need for accountability, warning that discussions on settling the war must not exclude Ukraine. The world must stand in solidarity with the victims, ensuring that justice prevails over political expediency.

Demand for Accountability and Justice

The international community must prioritize the immediate and unconditional release of all Ukrainian detainees held in Russian prisons, along with political prisoners within Russia. The Russian government has failed to disclose the fate and whereabouts of thousands of Ukrainians subjected to enforced disappearance since the invasion. This impunity emboldens aggressors and paves the way for future conflicts.

Russia's war stems from a systematic erosion of state institutions and the judiciary, transforming them into instruments of repression. Over the past three years, the Kremlin has pursued a deliberate strategy of silencing dissent, instilling fear, and eliminating opposition while maintaining a total blackout on war-related information. Independent journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and opposition politicians have been imprisoned for opposing the war, facing torture and life-threatening conditions. More than 2,000 political prisoners in Russia remain behind bars, some of whom have already perished.

Crimes Against Humanity and War Tactics

Russia's military campaign has included targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, raising concerns about a potential nuclear catastrophe. The documented use of brutal torture methods on Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians deported to Russia is alarming. Survivor testimonies detail heinous acts, including gang rapes, electric shocks, prolonged beatings, waterboarding, and mock executions. Many detainees, kept incommunicado, are deprived of essential medicine, food, and water, leading to inevitable deaths in captivity.

Rape and sexual violence have been weaponized against Ukrainian women and girls, demanding global recognition of these gendered atrocities. Women journalists and activists in Russian detention face heightened risks of gender-based violence and repression.

The Fight for Justice and the "People First!" Campaign

In the lead-up to the third anniversary of the invasion, Ukrainian and Russian civil society organizations launched the "People First!" campaign, advocating for the immediate release of all Ukrainian civilian detainees, prisoners of war on both sides, deported Ukrainian children, and Russian political prisoners arrested for opposing the war. This initiative aims to rescue lives and uphold fundamental human rights.

The Russian government has returned 160 bodies of Ukrainian detainees who perished in captivity, though the actual number of deaths is suspected to be much higher. Russian authorities bear full responsibility for these deaths, including the tragic case of Victoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender. For nearly six months, Russia has refused to return her body to Ukraine, preventing an independent investigation into her death. All deaths in Russian custody must be investigated in accordance with international legal standards to establish the truth and ensure accountability.

Upholding International Law and Justice

Standing with the victims of Russia's war means standing for justice. Undermining the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the framework of international justice sets a dangerous precedent, eroding the principles designed to prevent future wars. The world cannot turn a blind eye to Russia's war crimes.

The foundations of international law were built on the ruins of World War II with the promise of "never again." It is now imperative to honor this commitment for Ukraine. Ignoring Russia's crimes is a betrayal of its victims. The global community must act decisively to hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring that dignity, human rights, and justice prevail for future generations.