Ombudsman announces new mechanism for return of civilians from captivity

Ukraine as well as a number of countries have developed a new mechanism for the return of civilians from Russian captivity. In particular, this issue was discussed during the Peace Summit held in Switzerland on 15-16 June. Its participants came to concrete solutions. This was stated by the Ukrainian parliamentary commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on the air of the telethon.

Soon there will be a new mechanism for the return of civilian citizens of Ukraine," he said.

The ombudsman did not disclose details, but noted that many countries were ready to make efforts to return those Ukrainians who had been taken captive by the Russians, including children.

Regarding children. There have been many new initiatives from sometimes unexpected countries. I cannot disclose the details, because we all agreed that this is a closed part and we will make it public when we put it into practice, when the Ukrainian society sees the results," Lubinets pointed out.

At the same time, the ombudsman noted that new countries have joined the coalition, which deals with the return of children to Ukraine. Many countries are active in this issue and are ready to help return civilians from captivity.

The ombudsman added that many experts believe that new sanctions against Russians will help Ukrainian citizens return home.

It is necessary to set up a tribunal and impose a full embargo on Russian oil and gas. This is the only way the Russians will understand that they really need to return Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war," he stressed.

We would like to point out that the Russians have about 28,000 civilians in captivity. At the same time, as Lubinets noted, 90 per cent of those who fall into the hands of the captors are subjected to abuse in captivity.