UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a warning that the armed and security forces of Israel and Russia could be included in a “watchlist” in next year’s report over allegations of sexual violence.
Presenting the annual report on conflict-related sexual violence to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Guterres highlighted a troubling pattern of incidents linked to both countries.
Regarding Israel, allegations have emerged of sexual and physical abuse against Palestinian detainees by the Israeli military and security forces. Reported abuses include forced nudity, sexual assault, and repeated degrading searches. However, restrictions on UN observers’ access have made it difficult to identify consistent patterns. Guterres urged the Israeli authorities to launch immediate investigations, establish codes of conduct for security personnel, and ensure unrestricted access for UN monitors.
In a notable incident in July 2024 at the Sde Teiman prison, nine Israeli soldiers were questioned in connection with the alleged gang assault of a Palestinian detainee, who was later hospitalized in serious condition.
In Russia, the report documents numerous cases of abuse against Ukrainian prisoners of war in 72 detention facilities, including 50 state-run and 22 private centers. Reported abuses include electric shocks, beatings, burning, and forced nudity, carried out to extract confessions or inflict humiliation. Russian authorities have not engaged with UN envoys on these allegations.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, dismissed the claims as “unfounded,” stating that the UN should focus its attention on war crimes and sexual violence committed by Hamas.
The report has drawn renewed international attention to alleged human rights violations and breaches of international law by both nations.
Source: Al Jazeera.