Russia and Israel Added to UN Blacklist for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

The security forces of Russia and Israel have been added to the United Nations blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence, according to an annual UN report reviewed by AFP.

The decision is linked in particular to allegations of abuse against prisoners and detainees during the conflicts in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Last August, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned both Israel and Russia that they could be included on the list if reports of such violations continued.

However, according to the new report, the United Nations has continued to document cases and patterns of sexual violence connected to the war in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The report is expected to be circulated shortly among the member states of the United Nations Security Council and is considered one of the UN’s key documents for monitoring serious human rights violations during armed conflicts.

Inclusion on the blacklist does not automatically result in sanctions, but it is regarded as a significant political and diplomatic measure, placing the accused parties under increased international scrutiny for alleged serious human rights abuses.