Meeting Between Russian Human Rights Commissioner and ICRC: Discussion on POW and Displaced Persons’ Rights
Geneva/Moscow . The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, Tatiana Moskalkova, held discussions on the protection of the rights of prisoners of war and displaced civilians during a meeting in Geneva, held at the invitation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
At the meeting held at the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, upon the invitation of ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, both parties exchanged views regarding the search for missing persons and the protection of the rights of civilians residing in temporary accommodation centers.
Commissioner Moskalkova stated, “We also discussed the delivery of parcels containing letters from the families of prisoners of war, as well as the need to ensure respect for the rights of Russian military personnel held in penitentiary institutions in Ukraine.”
Core Message and Impact:
This high-level meeting against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war has opened new possibilities for bilateral humanitarian cooperation. However, verified information regarding progress on sensitive issues such as POW rights and the search for missing persons has not yet been made public.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a key institution that plays the role of a neutral mediator in conflict-affected areas. This visit by the Russian Commissioner signals that international monitoring and concern regarding the plight of war victims remains.
However, while discussing the rights of captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine, the question of the rights of captured Ukrainian civilians and soldiers in Ukrainian territory is equally important. There is a need for both sides to keep humanitarian cooperation free from political conditions and stipulations.
This meeting appears capable of helping expedite the prisoner exchange process and provide information to families. However, its success will depend on the political will of both sides and international pressure.
