Russia/Ukraine: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP plenary on crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war

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Opening remarks

Thank you President,

Honourable Members,

The European Union stands strong behind Ukraine and will support Ukraine as long as it takes and as intensely as it is needed.

Russia's atrocious treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is inexcusable and it must stop immediately. Russia must adhere to its long-standing international commitments and encouragement of these killings from Russian public figures must cease.

Last week, we were appalled to hear reports that nine Ukrainian prisoners of war had been shot by Russian troops in Kursk.

On the 1^st of October, the Office of the Prosecutor-General also opened an investigation into the reported execution of another 16 prisoners having surrendered to Russian troops in Donetsk. So far, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners have been reported to have died while under Russian captivity. This is unacceptable.

The ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is not limited to summary executions as witnessed by the reportof the UN Office for the High [Commissioner] for Human Rights published on the 1^st of October. The use of torture against prisoners is "systematic", according to the report. Prisoners of war are subjected to different types of torture, from severe beatings to sexual violence, humiliation and starvation at all stages of captivity.

Their protection and the humane treatment are fundamental principles we all have committed to uphold through the Geneva Convention, as the global community, including Russia. In addition, the intentional execution and the torture of prisoners of war are considered war crimes under the Rome Statute. Russia's executions and torture are thus yet other examples of the Kremlin's disregard for international law in general and most specifically, international humanitarian law.

The European Union calls on the Russian Federation to uphold its expressed and long-standing commitments to international humanitarian law, to ensure that the brutal executions and torture of Ukrainian prisoners ceases. Independent monitors should also be granted access to the prisoners.

The European Union is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in its pursuit of accountability for these heinous crimes. To this effect, we are supporting the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office to strengthen investigation and prosecution capacities of international crimes in Ukraine. Also, the European Union supports the International Criminal Court's (ICC) central role in international criminal justice and actively participates in the setting up of a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/AV_I262420

Closing remarks

Thank you, President, Honourable Members,

I want to thank you all for your support in our fight against [Russian] impunity [in crimes against Ukrainian prisoners].

The European Union condemns the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russia in the strongest terms possible. Russia has to honour its commitments and grant independent monitors humanitarian access to prisoners of war.

There can be no impunity for crimes as horrendous as these. The European Union remains utterly committed to holding those responsible for these crimes accountable. We support all efforts to bring those illegally detained home. It is crucial that returnees - both prisoners of war and civilian detainees - are fully accounted for.

So, I thank you again for your support in such very difficult moment, and we will continue to fight against [Russia's] impunity.

Thanks.

Link to video: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/AV_I262422