UN warns Russia, Israel of conflict sex crime risk【}
Unprecedented Sexual Violence in Conflict: UN Report Highlights Israel and Russia
Report Overview
The United Nations’ latest annual report warns that Israel and Russia risk inclusion on a list of parties suspected of employing sexual violence during armed conflict. The list currently contains Myanmar’s military, Sudan’s army and Hamas.
Key Findings
The report identifies serious concerns regarding patterns of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli and Russian forces, particularly in detention settings.
- Israel – The report alleges credible evidence that Israeli military and security forces have engaged in sexual violence, including genital assaults, prolonged forced nudity and repeated strip searches.
- Russia – The report documents credible violations against Ukrainian prisoners of war in 50 official and 22 unofficial detention facilities.
Israel: Detailed Allegations
- Israeli forces have reportedly carried out genital violence, beatings, electrocution and burns to the genitals.
- Forced stripping and prolonged nudity have been used to humiliate detainees and elicit confessions or information.
- In February, the Israeli army charged five soldiers for abusing a Palestinian detainee. One allegation involved stabbing a man with a sharp object that penetrated near the detainee’s rectum.
Russia: Ukraine Detention Facilities
The report outlines 72 detention facilities in Ukraine where severe incidents of genital violence, including electrocution and beatings, have been documented.
Ukraine: 2024 Human Rights Monitoring Mission
The mission documented 209 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2024, including rape.
International Cooperation
- Israel has cooperated with a special representative on sexual violence in conflict.
- Russia has not engaged with the representative.
- Access restrictions in Israel have frustrated the special representative’s ability to determine patterns and trends.
Israel’s Response
Israel rejected the report’s findings, describing the UN letter from Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres as “unusual”. Israeli ambassador Danny Danon called on the UN to focus on “shocking war crimes and sexual violence of Hamas”.
Russia’s Response
The Russian embassy to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.
