UK urges Russia to respect the Geneva Conventions and ensure the humane treatment of Prisoners of War: UK statement to the OSCE
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, cites multiple independently-verified sources documenting Russia’s widespread use of torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war, a clear violation of its obligations under the Geneva Conventions.

Thank you, Mr Chair. This month marked eleven years since Russia began its illegal annexation of Crimea. Earlier this week marked three years since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, enabled by Belarus. Each week, this Forum has executed its mandate by recording the related breaches of OSCE commitments and violations of international law.

At last month’s FSC Opening Session, the Russian Delegation called on us to “create favourable conditions for the fulfilment of the [FSC’s] mandate … including the Code of Conduct”. We agree.

As Russia knows, paragraphs 30, 31 and 34 of the Code of Conduct compel States to ensure that their armed and security forces abide by international law. As Russia knows, Paragraph 34 explicitly references the Hague Conventions and the Geneva Conventions. As Russia knows, I will only cite independently-verified, internationally-respected sources.

Mandate after mandate, the UN has consistently reported that the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian authorities is widespread and systematic. In recent months, assessments have only worsened. The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has concluded that Russia’s use of torture against POWs and civilian detainees amounts to “crimes against humanity”.

The OHCHR continued to document the “widespread use of torture and ill-treatment”, including sexual violence, against civilians and Ukrainian prisoners of war held by the Russian Federation. The OHCHR also documented the continued efforts of family members to obtain information about the fate and whereabouts of civilian detainees and POWs in captivity.

Mr Chair, Russia must abide by its Geneva Convention obligations. This means it must treat all civilian detainees and prisoners of war humanely. It must also allow immediate unimpeded access by the ICRC.

The UK condemns Russia’s exploitation of Prisoners of War for political and propaganda purposes. We are deeply concerned that Russia has detained two British nationals Mr James Anderson and Mr Hayden Davies on false charges of so-called mercenaryism. They are not mercenaries. They are Prisoners of War. Ukraine has confirmed that both are members of Ukrainian Armed Forces. They must be provided all the rights and protections afforded to Prisoners of War under the Geneva Conventions. We demand Russia respects its obligations under International Law.

The Code of Conduct commits us to act in solidarity if OSCE norms and commitments are violated. As catalogued by the OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, there is irrefutable independent evidence of Russia violating international law, including international humanitarian law. As per paragraph 1 of the Code, such breaches are a “direct and legitimate” concern for us all.

That is why we call on Russia to respect the Geneva Conventions and ensure the humane treatment of Prisoners of War. That is why Russia must also release all civilians who have been arbitrarily detained – including the three Special Monitoring Mission staff. Thank you.