Bias against UN persists among survivors of CRSV, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office representative

Some Ukrainians affected by conflict-related sexual violence harbor skepticism toward cooperation with United Nations institutions, fueled in part by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit to russia. However, according to UN protocols, russia must provide an official response before being added to any “list of shame,” including those related to violations under the Joint Coordination and Control Center (JCCC).  

Anna Sosonska, a representative of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine, addressed the issue during a discussion at Media Center Ukraine.  

“Some survivors of conflict-related sexual violence carry certain biases against working with UN institutions, particularly after the Secretary-General’s visit to the russian federation. This visit was perceived by some as signaling the UN’s willingness to collaborate with russia. That perception has created challenges. In response, the Prosecutor General’s Office has been actively clarifying how the process of placing a country on a ‘list of shame’ works,” Sosonska explained.  

She emphasized that adherence to established UN procedures is essential, recalling the role of UN Special Representative Virginia Gamba in securing russia’s placement on the juvenile “list of shame.”  

“Virginia Gamba herself visited the russian federation before russia was listed. This reflects standard UN protocol. Before any state is included on such lists—whether for violations under the International Committee of the Red Cross or others—an official explanation must be sought from the accused party. While we maintain communication with the UN, no formal response has yet been received from the russian federation regarding these allegations,” Sosonska noted.  

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news