Ensuring oversight and protection of life, health and well-being of all detained by the Russian Federation and in Russian controlled territories of Ukraine.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Military action by Russian forces against Ukraine commenced on 24 February 2022. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has observed serious human rights violations in the context of the Ukraine war. A range of people are detained, not limited to those meeting the definition of prisoners of war, or prisoners, but including Russian soldiers who refuse to fight and the enforced disappearance of Ukrainian civilians. STUDY DESIGN: This is a Commentary article. METHODS: This Commentary concerns the detainee's right to humane conditions of detention and right to life, health and well-being (including access to medical care) when in detention in Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine and when transported into and detained in the Russian Federation itself. RESULTS: There is evidence of violations of the rules of war and of fundamental human rights. Prohibition of torture and other ill treatment of people deprived of their liberty is shared across international human rights and humanitarian law frameworks. CONCLUSIONS: Russia will leave the European Court of Human Rights on 16 September 2022. The United Nations Human Rights Council must swiftly respond and create new mechanisms to monitor Russian detention standards and uphold fundamental human rights to protect the lives, health and well-being of those detained, regardless of their status as prisoner, prisoner of war or other.