New report on arbitrary detentions and capture of civilian hostages in Ukraine

Since the full-scale invasion started, the Media Initiative for Human Rights has meticulously recorded war crimes and other atrocities perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine, using the I-DOC documentation system in cooperation with the NHC.

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.

Read the MIHR report

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 former hostage and relatives of current hostages in conversation with Ivar Dale. Photo: Sara Machado/NHC

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.

Watch the video from the report launch

Panelists Olha Reshetylova (MIHR), Gunnar Ekeløve-Slydal (NHC) and Cecilie Hellestveit (Norwegian Academy of International Law/Folkerettsinstituttet). Photo: Sara Machado/NHC

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Lene Wetteland

Head of Documentation and Accountability HubEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 97 69 75 53Twitter: @lenewett
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Ivar Dale (on leave)

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Dag A. Fedøy

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