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April 07, 2025 – Crimea/Russia –
Denys Matsola, a Ukrainian journalist, human rights activist, and former soldier, has been imprisoned in Russia for over three years. Captured on April 4, 2022, while defending Mariupol as part of the 501st Separate Marine Battalion of the Ukrainian Navy, Matsola’s situation has drawn international concern. His captivity is attributed to his pro-Ukrainian stance and activism, including his support for the Crimean Tatar national movement and opposition to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Matsola’s supporters, including human rights organizations and media workers, have launched campaigns to raise awareness and demand his release. They highlight the inhumane conditions he faces, including prolonged solitary confinement and inadequate nutrition, which have severely impacted his physical and mental health. The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group emphasizes that such treatment is a form of retaliation against Matsola’s efforts to expose Russian repression in occupied Crimea.
In response to his plight, international human rights organizations and activists are calling for increased pressure on Russian authorities to adhere to international humanitarian standards and to facilitate Matsola’s release. They urge the Ukrainian government, international bodies, and the global community to intensify efforts to end the unlawful detention and mistreatment of prisoners of war like Matsola.
The case of Denys Matsola underscores the broader issue of the treatment of prisoners of war and political detainees in conflict zones. It serves as a stark reminder of the human rights violations occurring amidst the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for international intervention to ensure the protection and humane treatment of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or political affiliations.
Reference –
https://khpg.org/en/1608814627
