UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Israel and Russia over their documented patterns of sexual violence.
In his annual report to the UN Security Council concerning conflict-related sexual violence, Guterres indicated that both countries may be included next year in the listing of parties “credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence”.
Guterres expressed “grave concern” about verified evidence of abuses by Israeli armed and security forces against Palestinians in various prisons and facilities, including a military base. He mentioned documented patterns of genital violence, forced nudity, and dehumanizing strip searches.
Due to Israel’s restriction of UN monitors’ access, Guterres stated that determining the extent of such violence has been difficult. He urged the Israeli government to ensure an immediate end to all acts of sexual violence and to implement specific time-bound commitments addressing the situation.
In March, UN-affiliated human rights experts accused Israel of systematically employing sexual, reproductive, and other gender-based violence. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry confirmed a range of violations against Palestinians by Israeli forces, including rape and sexual violence against detainees.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, countered the allegations as “baseless accusations” influenced by “biased publications”, and advocated for the UN’s focus to be on Hamas’ war crimes and the release of hostages.
In July, the Israeli military detained and questioned nine soldiers over alleged sexual abuse at the notorious Sde Teiman prison facility. Israeli media reported a Palestinian prisoner being hospitalized due to severe injuries following what was described as a gang rape.
Regarding Russia, Guterres communicated his grave concern about verified violations by Russian armed and security forces against Ukrainian prisoners of war in official and unofficial detention facilities in both Ukraine and Russia. The violations included genital violence, forced stripping, and prolonged detentions to intimidate and extract information.
Russia’s UN mission in New York did not respond to the report immediately. Guterres noted that Russian authorities have not been responsive to his special envoy’s efforts.
