War in Ukraine: OSCE concerned about Russian "filtration camps"
Residents of Mariupol get off the bus that allowed them to leave the city on April 21, 2022. AP - Leo Correa
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The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it is seriously concerned about Moscow's treatment of Ukrainian civilians who are evacuated from war zones by Russia.
In a report made public on Thursday, the organization claims that "filtration camps" have been established by Russia in Ukraine.
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Many testimonies had already leaked in the press on these filtration camps established by Russia in the first weeks of the conflict.
Especially during the siege and evacuation of the port city of Mariupol.
But the OSCE report paints a precise and damning picture of the system put in place by Russia
to “screen” Ukrainian civilians
who have fled the fighting.
The objective of the Russian authorities is apparently to determine if the displaced people fought on the Ukrainian side or worse still, have links with the Azov regiment.
In this case, according to the authors of the report, the civilians are separated and often simply disappear altogether.
Some are transferred to separatist territories where they may be detained or even killed.
This practice, add the OSCE rapporteurs, suggests that Russia “
is using these territories to circumvent its international obligations
”.
Those who pass the interrogations without a hitch are then sent to Russia “
with or without their consent
”.
They are free to move, but often lack the information and means to leave the country.
More than a million Ukrainians affected according to kyiv
Kiev has been denouncing for several weeks “
deportations
” which would have affected more than a million Ukrainians, Moscow assuring for its part that its only goal is to allow civilians to “
evacuate
” from “
dangerous zones
”.
There are "
about 20 structures of this type
", estimates Yevhenii Tsybalium, Ambassador of Ukraine to the OSCE, quoted in the document.
This is the second OSCE report since the beginning of the conflict within the framework of the so-called “Moscow” mechanism, in which Russia has refused to cooperate.
Covering the period from April to June, it confirms the discovery of "
manifest violations of rights
" that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"
It's a real-world horror story
...
It is an affront to humanity, perversity incarnate
,” commented British Ambassador Neil Bush before the OSCE Permanent Council, promising to “
document
” the facts.
“
We will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions
,” he insisted.
(
With
AFP)
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