OHCHR report: Life prisoners in Donetsk region subjected to mock execution for their pro-unity Ukrainian views

The human rights of people in high-security prisons are further violated in the territory of Donetsk region controlled by the illegal armed groups.

This is stated in the 14th report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, covering the period from 16 February to 15 May 2016.

The OHCHR interviewed a man sentenced to life imprisonment prior to the conflict, who was formerly held in penal colony No. 52, in the city of Yenakiieve (Donetsk region) under the control of the armed groups.

The convict said that a number of such prisoners in Yenakiieve were subjected to mock execution for their pro-unity Ukrainian views in February 2015. The first deputy of the head of the colony carried out the mock execution.

Several detainees were forced to kneel in the ‘square’ near the administration building. After a short speech on “proper political views”, the first deputy reportedly fired shots above the heads of the detainees.

Also, four former detainees from penal colony No. 52 informed OHCHR about an incident involving two prisoners in May 2015, where they were severely beaten for three days with the involvement of local ‘police’ to “teach them a lesson.”

The report states that another man sentenced to life imprisonment prior to the conflict, who was formerly held in penal colony No. 52 and then transferred to Government-controlled territory, informed OHCHR that in January-February 2015, he witnessed how one detainee died.

His cellmate had kidney problems, was denied treatment, and was transferred to a cell with tuberculosis patients. One day before his death, his legs were severely swollen. The head of medical staff at the facility ignored his deteriorating health condition.

OHCHR also recorded new reports on killings, abductions, arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment of people by illegal armed groups in eastern Ukraine.