EU Calls on Belarus to Return All Unlawfully Detained and Deported Ukrainians to Ukraine

Ukraine and the EU High Representative issued a joint statement calling on Russia and Belarus to return to Ukraine all arbitrarily detained and unlawfully deported Ukrainian citizens, including children.

“We urgently call on Russia and Belarus to ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all arbitrarily detained, unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian civilians, including children”, the statement said.

Since the start of the war and the attempted illegal annexation of Crimea, Russia has persecuted anyone it considers a threat to the occupying authorities. Cases of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, the widespread use of torture, unlawful deportation to Russia and forcible transfer to other parts of the occupied territories have been documented, the statement said.

“Civilians, including local officials, journalists, activists, volunteers, religious figures and others, remain subject to politically motivated prosecutions, torture and inhumane detention conditions”, the document said.

The EU and Ukraine called for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be given access to all places where Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians are held, and for efforts to establish the fate and whereabouts of people considered missing to be facilitated.

“We reiterate our call to uphold international humanitarian law and human rights law for all prisoners including ceasing the brutal executions and use of torture against prisoners of war and civilian detainees”, the statement said.

The EU and Ukraine also said further efforts were needed to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.