Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva Independent UN experts: Russian authorities must confirm reports of death of detained Ukrainian journalist Human Rights
UN human rights experts are seeking immediate confirmation of reports of the death of Viktoria Roshchina, a Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist who has been out of contact since early August 2023 while working in Russia-occupied eastern Ukraine.
“This sad news adds to the immense suffering caused to the loved ones of Viktoria Roshchina as a result of her enforced disappearance and the prolonged uncertainty regarding her fate and whereabouts for more than a year, which amounts to torture and ill-treatment under international human rights law,” a statement on behalf of several independent UN experts said.
In 2022, Roshchina won the International Women’s Media Fund’s Courage in Journalism Award and is known for her independent coverage of the war in Ukraine, the activists added. According to them, she was arbitrarily detained by the Russian military in the occupied city of Melitopol, Zaporizhia region, without trial or charges, and then deported to Russia.
According to the latest unofficial information from September 8, 2024, Victoria was in a pre-trial detention center in Taganrog, and, apparently, she was taken to an unknown location.
In response to numerous requests for information addressed to the Russian authorities, on October 10, 2024, Roshchina’s father received a letter from the Russian Ministry of Defense signed by “V. Kokh”, who did not disclose his position. The letter claimed that Victoria died on September 19, 2024, in Russian captivity, but provided no supporting documents or details about the circumstances of her death.
Given that no evidence has been provided of Victoria’s detention or presumed death, the experts called on the Russian government to immediately confirm the information.
“If her death is confirmed, we call for her body to be immediately returned home so that an independent investigation can be conducted into the cause and circumstances of her death,” they said. In such a case, according to the statement, the Russian authorities may be responsible for arbitrary deprivation of life in a state prison.
Apart from the letter of October 10, 2024, the only other information in response to the relatives’ requests to the Russian authorities was received on April 17, 2024, from the Ministry of Defense, signed by the same person – V. Kokh. He only confirmed that Victoria was being detained in the Russian Federation.
Roshchina is believed to have been held incommunicado at a pre-trial detention facility in Taganrog, a place human rights activists say is notorious for torture. Returned detainees have reported electric shocks, severe beatings, sexual violence and denial of medical care.
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At least 1,672 Ukrainian civilians, including at least 25 journalists, are being held in Russian custody, UN experts added. They called on the Russian government to disclose the fate and whereabouts of, and immediately release, all Ukrainians arbitrarily detained, deported and held in Russia.
The statement was signed by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katsarova, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, and the members of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
The Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.