On Wednesday 21 May, Renew Europe MEPs Valérie Hayer (French) and Petras Auštrevičius (Lithuanian) argued that “a just, comprehensive and lasting peace [in Ukraine] must include the liberation of prisoners of war, the release of civilians, and the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children”. According to Mr Auštrevičius, more than 2,000 civilians are being held captive by Russia and 20,000 children, “the equivalent of a town”, have been kidnapped.
“Thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity. The reality of these prisoners is torture, violence, starvation. The brutality hits prisoners, but also illegally captured civilians”, Ms Hayer reminded the media. The systematic torture and ill-treatment committed by the Russian authorities against Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilians and children are “not acts of war, but are crimes against humanity”, said Ms Hayer, warning that Europe will not turn a blind eye.
“By the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war must be treated with honour normally, but these people have been tortured. Numerous testimonies and facts prove that the Russian aggressor remains an aggressor, even towards prisoners of war. It's unbelievable”, added Mr Auštrevičius, who described four former prisoners who were present at his side as “heroes”.
These prisoners explained that they had been subjected to acts of torture such as electrocution, beatings with sticks, attacks by dogs, lack of vital medical care, simulated drowning and being forced to remain immobile from 6am to 10pm, without speaking, walking, going to the toilet or drinking water without permission. “This is something that each prisoner faced in Russian prisons, no matter of their gender, nationality, civilian status, etc.” explained Yevgeny Malik, a former soldier who was held for 29 months. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)