Ukraine’s Security Service ready to accept delegation of UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is ready to accept members of the delegation of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture for the delegation to fulfill the tasks within the scope of its powers.

This is reported by the SBU press service.

According to the statement, June 16, the SBU sent the UN through the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry a package of powers to resume the work of delegation of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) in Ukraine.

The press service notes that the SBU has been and remains a special law enforcement agency, which in its activities fully adheres to the rule of law and order, respect for and protection of the rights and freedoms of persons and citizens.

As reported, the SPT delegation suspended its visit to Ukraine after being denied access to places in several parts of the country where it suspects people are being deprived of their liberty by the Security Service of Ukraine.

Under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the SPT is mandated to visit all States parties and can make unannounced visits to any places of detention. 

The UN also stated that the organization had often received messages from victims and their relatives who claimed the SBU officers often deprived the detainees of any contact with their families and access to a lawyer.

May 26, SBU Chief Vasyl Hrytsak said that the SBU had reasonably denied access of the UN delegation to the premises of SBU’s district departments in Mariupol and Kramatorsk as no detainees or prisoners were held there.

First Deputy Justice Minister of Ukraine Sevastyanova stated that the Ukrainian Security Service had not allowed the delegation of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to visit its premises because one of the delegation members was a Russian citizen.