A new report on arbitrary detentions and capture of civilian hostages in the northern regions of Ukraine, was launched by the Ukrainian NGO and NHC partner Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) in Oslo on the 20 September 2023. The report documents war crimes and other atrocities perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine. Among other horrific offenses, as of May 2023, MIHR has identified 1168 civilian hostages held in the Russian Federation and occupied territories of Ukraine. The actual number might be five to seven times higher.
The report contains witness testimonies from former hostages and relatives to current hostages. Tetyana Katrychenko (MIHR) presented the report at the NHC office in Oslo. The brought with them one former civilian hostage and relatives of current hostages. Their strong testimonies moved the audience and served as sobering reminders of the grave crimes committed by Russian forces during the war in Ukraine.
A panel discussion on the future investigation of the war crimes and human rights violations concluded report launch. Olha Reshetylova (MIHR), Cecilie Hellestveit (Norwegian Academy of International Law/Folkerettsinstituttet) and Gunnar Ekeløve-Slydal (NHC) were participants in the panel discussion that was moderated by NHC’s Ivar Dale.
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