17:39 13.09.2016

Ukrainian MP asks OSCE, UNICEF to verify reports about tortures of teenagers captured by Donetsk militants

2 min read
Ukrainian MP asks OSCE, UNICEF to verify reports about tortures of teenagers captured by Donetsk militants

First Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas Iryna Gerashchenko has called on the OSCE and UNICEF to verify online reports about detention and tortures of Ukrainian teenagers captured by militants from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

"Media reported shocking information that the 'orcs' from the self-proclaimed republics have detained a group of teenagers allegedly for 'sabotage' and are now torturing them… This information obviously requires verification. And I think this is a good opportunity for UNICEF to check this information, use access to the poor children who are being tried by public interrogations on video (...) The footage was posted by the 'orcs' on the Internet. It is obvious it needs to be verified and responded. Today, I've sent a letter to the OSCE and UNICEF, asking to urgently check these reports," Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

She also said she would most likely raise the issue in Minsk on September 21, when the next Trilateral Contact Group meeting is to take place.

She stresses that it is appropriate to engage UNICEF to help with issues involving children in the conflict zone.

"We support efforts made by this respected international organization, but we believe this should not be a kind of ceremonial engagement with routine workshops and roundtables on children's issues," she said.

She added UNICEF must be permitted to monitor the situation of children's rights in the occupied territories and in Russia, where the organization's work is de facto blocked.

Gerashchenko also pointed to the importance of assistance Ukraine in searching Ukrainians, illegally removed orphans and children deprived of parental care, and joint prevention of any attempt to involve minors in the conflict.

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