New PACE Resolution: Call for Prisoner Exchange
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the international community to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for the swift exchange of prisoners of war under the formula “all for all.”
The document emphasizes that 95% of freed Ukrainian prisoners experienced torture, sexual violence, or inhumane treatment by the RF.
This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
PACE Calls for Immediate “All for All” Exchange
The document adopted by PACE highlights the need to establish an international exchange mechanism involving the International Committee of the Red Cross and neutral states. The release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians is prioritized.
The Assembly strongly condemned the systematic violations of the Geneva Conventions by Russia. The resolution states that the situation of Ukrainian soldiers in captivity is critical and requires immediate action from the global community.
In particular, the Assembly demands that Russia:
- establish specialized camps for prisoners with proper living conditions, medical care, food, and legal assistance;
- create a Joint Medical Commission to assess the wounded;
- launch an official Bureau of Information on prisoners;
- grant immediate access to international humanitarian organizations to places where prisoners are held.
Additionally, PACE officially included Belarus in the list of countries that also hold Ukrainian prisoners of war, placing responsibility on it for their fate.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War thanked the Ukrainian delegation to PACE for their diligent work on this important document and for advocating key provisions for Ukraine.
