News - MIHR

Advocacy

The Families of Captured Medics are Demanding Stricter Sanctions against Russian Medical Practices

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the detention of at least 60 Ukrainian doctors in Russian captivity. Meanwhile, the Media Initiative for Human Rights currently lists more than a hundred medical professionals imprisoned by Russia. Human rights activists estimate that the number of such detainees could exceed 500.

26 July 2024

Prisoners of war

Withdrawal from Azovstal, the terrorist attack in Olenivka, and getting married online. The story of Azov fighter Serhii Alieksieievych

On May 16, 2022, Azov fighter Serhii Alieksieievych laid down his weapon, removed his ammunition, and, along with a hundred fellow comrades-in-arms, left the Azovstal territory. In July 2022, an explosion occurred in the colony where the Mariupol garrison was held. Around fifty people were killed and more than a hundred injured—all of them Azov fighters. Serhii Alieksieievych survived but was wounded and remains in captivity.

26 July 2024

Advocacy

Ceasefire is Needed. The Search for 16 Missing Sailors from the Boats “Sloviansk” and “Stanislav” Continues

In the spring of 2022, two Ukrainian military boats, Sloviansk and Stanislav, sank in the Black Sea as a result of Russian missile strikes. Some of the sailors were rescued. However, what happened to 16 more remains unknown.

24 July 2024

War and justice

“I do not identify with the defendant — I am here to ensure the balance of justice and fairness”, — the lawyer of the Russian military

Yuliia Shuliak is a Ukrainian lawyer who represents Russian military personnel accused of war crimes in court. In an interview with MIHR, the lawyer talks about her experience working on war crimes cases, the challenges of the trial in absentia, the impact of an international educational project on her perception of her work, and the public condemnation.

19 July 2024

Analytics

Torture of Ukrainians is a state policy of Russia. Human rights organizations reveal new details of brutal torture of civilians

Systematic and widespread patterns of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, filtration, and related crimes against Ukrainian civilians in Russian-controlled territories may constitute crimes against humanity, as revealed by a new report by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and Ukrainian partners, the Media Initiative for Human Rights and the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

18 July 2024

Prisoners of war

“These testimonies were not written by me”, — human rights activist Maksym Butkevych delivered his final speech in the occupation court in Luhansk

Today, July 16, 2024, Ukrainian human rights activist Maksym Butkevych turns 47. After the start of the Russian invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was captured in June 2022, where he has been held for over two years. Today we are publishing the full text of his speech during the cassation hearing of his case by a Russian court, recorded by one of the attendees.

16 July 2024