Missing persons, prisoners of war and civilians in captivity as a result of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine
Recommendation 2285
(2024)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 2 October 2024 (29th sitting) (see Doc. 16050, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and
Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Ms Mariia Mezentseva-Fedorenko). Text adopted by the Assembly on
2 October 2024 (29th sitting).
1. Referring to its
Resolution 2573 (2024) “Missing
persons, prisoners of war and civilians in captivity as a result
of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine”
and underlining its unwavering support to Ukraine in ensuring a
decisive victory over the Russian Federation following the full-scale
military aggression against Ukraine unleashed by the Russian Federation
on 24 February 2022, the Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its condemnation
of the situation related to the fate of prisoners of war and civilians
held in Russian captivity and will remain involved until the last
captive is released and/or repatriated.
2. The Assembly believes that the Council of Europe should ensure
that this topic remains high on the international political agenda
of all Council of Europe member States, as well as observer States
and States whose parliaments enjoy observer or partner for democracy
status with the Assembly in order to prevent persons from going
missing while in the hands of the Russian Federation, to clarify
the identity and whereabouts of missing persons, and to ensure the
proper treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians held
in Russian captivity in line with international humanitarian law
and human rights standards, their prompt release, their socio-medical
rehabilitation and the accountability of the Russian Federation
and the perpetrators of the crimes committed against these persons.
3. Convinced that it shares the same political priority, the
Assembly invites the Committee of Ministers to keep the topic under
close scrutiny in the context of its continuous deliberations regarding
the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation
against Ukraine and the next steps towards creating a reliable mechanism
that will ensure justice and compensation for Ukraine and its people,
notably the setting-up of an international mechanism to compensate
the victims and the establishment of a special tribunal for the
crime of aggression against Ukraine.
4. The Assembly reminds the Committee of Ministers that likeminded
States, including Council of Europe member States, may introduce
a package of international targeted sanctions against Russian officials responsible
for the unlawful deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians.
In the same vein, and based on the principle of universal jurisdiction,
they may initiate criminal prosecution against Russian officials
responsible for the unlawful deprivation of liberty of civilians.
5. The Assembly remains available to discuss with the Committee
of Ministers possible next steps on the issue of Ukrainian prisoners
of war and civilians held in Russian captivity during a future joint
committee meeting.
