The United Nations has added Russia to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence, following the inclusion of Israel. The UN’s latest report highlights allegations of sexual violence committed by Russian forces in Ukraine and by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees.
The reported abuses include rape, attempted rape, physical assault, forced stripping of detainees during searches without justification, and threats of rape. Both Russia and Israel have rejected the allegations.
According to the report, several members of Israel’s military, security services, and prison authorities were identified as perpetrators of abuse.
The United Nations also alleged that Israeli forces committed acts of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Overall, 77 state and non-state entities from 12 countries have been blacklisted over allegations of conflict-related sexual violence.
It is worth noting that last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned countries about the growing concern over such violations. In this year’s annual report, the United Nations has, for the first time, included Israeli and Russian security forces on its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence.
