In Ukraine, almost 37 thousand people are considered missing, - Lubinets

In Ukraine, almost 37 thousand people are considered missing, - Lubinets

This was stated by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets on Tuesday, April 16, during the conference “Civilians in illegal detention by Russia: common steps by the authorities and civil society for their release.”

“During his speech, he addressed the participants and informed that the Russian Federation has been abducting civilians since 2014. The situation escalated significantly after the full-scale invasion. Civilians are subjected to various forms of violence,” Lubinets said.

According to the Ombudsman, Ukraine returned only 147 civilians. In addition, it was possible to verify about 1,700 people illegally detained by Russia (these are people verified by the ICRC in other ways).

“We are doing everything possible to move the issue of returning civilians from point zero,” Lubinets said.

He also stated that the Office of the Ombudsman is looking into the issue, and this will become one of the tasks of the fourth paragraph of the Peace Formula.

In addition, Ukraine has created an International Platform for the release of civilians illegally detained by the Russian Federation.

In order to release civilians as quickly as possible, the Office of the Ombudsman:

• noted the importance of providing the ICRC with access to places where civilians are held;
• create working groups of countries that will put pressure on the Russian Federation;
• conduct negotiations and look for a patron country;
• are trying to find a platform country for the public opening of civil communications;
• are working to open a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians; in particular, such negotiations were held with Turkey.