New Calls for Prisoner Exchange
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the international community to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for the swift exchange of prisoners based on the principle of "all for all".
The document highlights that 95% of released Ukrainian prisoners suffered from torture, sexual violence, or inhumane treatment by Russia.
This information was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
PACE Calls for Immediate "All for All" Exchange
The PACE resolution emphasizes the necessity of creating an international exchange mechanism involving the International Committee of the Red Cross and neutral states. The release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians is defined as a priority.
The Assembly condemned the systematic violations of the Geneva Conventions by Russia. The resolution stresses that the situation of Ukrainian soldiers in captivity is critical and requires immediate action from the global community.
In particular, the Assembly demands from Russia:
- the establishment of specialized camps for prisoners with proper living conditions, medical care, food, and legal assistance;
- the creation of a Joint Medical Commission for the examination of the wounded;
- the launch of an official Bureau for information on prisoners;
- immediate access for international humanitarian organizations to places of detention.
Additionally, PACE officially included Belarus in the list of countries that also hold Ukrainian prisoners of war, placing responsibility for their fate on it.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War thanked the Ukrainian delegation to PACE for their diligent work on this important document and for advocating key provisions for Ukraine.
