We, the undersigned, issue this call in the context of the Global Peace Summit and the Ukrainian Peace Formula. We raise the alarm regarding human rights violations faced by Ukrainians held in Russian captivity — both prisoners of war and civilian hostages. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) to protect civilians and those no longer taking part in hostilities, including prisoners of war.
We recall that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights (UDHR, Art. 1), that no one shall be subjected to torture (UDHR, Art. 5), and that no exceptional circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification of torture (Convention Against Torture, Art. 2). The prohibition of torture is recognised as absolute under general international law.
Fully within the framework of IHL and IHRL, we call for:
1. The urgent release of Ukrainian captives held by Russia since 2014, namely:
a. Civilian hostages and children who have been forcibly displaced, detained, or resettled. Under IHRL, no one may be arbitrarily detained (without a lawful basis). Forcible transfers and deportations are prohibited under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
b. Prisoners of war:
i. All prisoners of war who are seriously wounded or seriously ill, or whose mental or physical health is endangered by captivity, must be repatriated to Ukraine or hospitalised in a neutral country, as guaranteed by Articles 109–110 of the Third Geneva Convention. Available testimonies and research indicate that the very lives and health of captives may be at risk due to the conditions of Russian captivity. All captives facing inhumane conditions of detention must be released, in accordance with the said Convention and instruments such as Mixed Medical Commissions (Art. 112, already established in Ukraine).
ii. International law must be upheld. Russia's war of aggression must end. Once active hostilities cease, all prisoners of war must be released and repatriated without delay. It is essential that all those suspected of war crimes and other serious human rights violations be held accountable, and that crimes against international law do not go unpunished. The cycle of impunity must be broken, in full accordance with international law.
2. The rights of all Ukrainian captives must be upheld until the moment of their release.
As set out in the Third Geneva Convention, the rights of prisoners of war include, but are not limited to: humane treatment (Art. 13), adequate conditions of internment (Art. 25), quality and quantity of food (Art. 26), medical care (Art. 30), the right to send and receive correspondence (Art. 71), and the right to receive parcels (Arts. 72–74). To ensure these rights are respected, we call for unimpeded access by independent humanitarian organisations operating in Russia and on occupied Ukrainian territory to monitor the treatment of prisoners of war (Art. 125). As set out in the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilian hostages "accused of offences" are also entitled to medical care, adequate conditions of internment, and other forms of support, and must be held within the occupied territory (Art. 76). Arbitrary detention of civilians is impermissible under international law, and they must be unconditionally released. However, until civilian hostages are freed, their rights and dignity must be protected, including the absolute prohibition of ill-treatment, regardless of whether their detention is arbitrary or not.
In working toward an end to Russian aggression, we must recognise that peace can only be just and lasting when it is built on justice, accountability, and reparations for victims. We must work toward a future where human rights prevail over injustice.
We must be united in our pursuit of justice and accountability, ensuring that no one is forgotten.
Amnesty International in Ukraine
Lawyers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / NGO Institute of Mass Information
Women Veterans Movement
Coalition of Associations of Families of Missing and Captured Ukrainian Defenders "SAVE UKRAINIAN PRISONERS OF WAR"
Pryncyp Human Rights Center
Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
Ukrainian Society in Switzerland
Ukrainian Feminist Network for Freedom and Democracy
Center for Civil Liberties