Daria Morozova meets UN representative Nils Melzer

Comments and statements of the Ombudsman News

The Human Rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People’s Republic Daria Morozova held a working meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Nils Melzer. At the meeting, some pressing issues were discussed, such as using unlawful methods of interrogation against detainees, interviewing victims of torture, the efforts of DPR authorities to meet international standards of detention conditions in penitentiary institutions, and access to detention facilities.

Daria Morozova told about the use of unlawful methods of interrogation against almost 95 per cent of people detained by the Ukrainian side. The work of the humanitarian subgroup at the Minsk talks was also discussed, where evidence of using torture against people released on 27 December 2018 have been presented.

DPR Ombudsman also told that the Ukrainian side refused to sign a Declaration that condemns all forms of torture, ill-treatment, sexual violence and threats of violence against persons detained in connection with the conflict. Daria Morozova expressed concern over the refusal of the Ukrainian side to sign the document and made an assumption that Kiev representatives are not going to stop using torture against detainees in Ukraine.

Nils Melzer thanked Daria Morozova for the openness of the Donetsk People’s Republic and commitment to principles of humanism. He expressed hope for further cooperation.