Publication of lists of prisoners: adverse risks and opportunities
Speaking about the situation with the publication of lists of prisoners and missing persons, we should remember in 2014, when the conflict in the Donbas was just beginning: the release of prisoners while the Center, which at the time led by Yuri Ruban, constantly published and updated lists of people who were in the captivity of the enemy. Thus, we could see the overall situation: how many people are in captivity who. And this information was more or less confirmed. Those open lists allow relatives to check information or to supplement it with their own data. So there was a constant contact. But now everything is different.
First of all, the current publication of lists of prisoners becomes a target for all sorts of scams, people who are trying to cash in on someone else’s misfortune, and on this situation. Consequently, these scammers may go on contact with relatives of prisoners allegedly demand money for the information or the release of their relatives who are in captivity. Indeed, it was in 2014, when many people pay a lot of money to anyone who called them and said that he has confirmed the information about a person close to them.
But now the situation is particularly dangerous for the relatives of missing persons, who now will be grateful for any close person. If you look at the list on the exchange, submitted by the Ukrainian side, and wherein said 122 persons, we can see that among them there is a large number of people who are unaccounted for.
In my opinion, this is the greatest risk that arises after the publication of the lists.
You should also pay attention to what looks doubtful relevance promulgated lists. Already after the first acquaintance with him, I found at least one person who died – it is official and confirmed information: the body was found and buried, I personally spoke with the victim’s wife. Therefore, all information contained in these lists should be updated so that we understand how they really are relevant.
In addition, the publication of these lists of people spread personal data. It is clear that this point is also very problematic.
Again, there is a clear parallel with the situation in 2014. But the data that was in 2014, were much more comprehensive than the list that we have received today.
Criticism in connection with the publication of lists of prisoners associated primarily with the effect of this move on the Minsk process of negotiations and discussion of humanitarian issues within it, including the release of prisoners threads. I note that since then, as a matter of exchange of prisoners was transferred into the framework of the Minsk talks and taken out of the full reference of the Security Service (that is, since the Security Service of Ukraine has ceased to organize exchanges and to implement them without the consent of the Minsk subgroup without an agreement) no one, in fact, have not seen any lists of prisoners and missing persons. And indeed all the exchanges have since been rather complicated and not conducted as frequently as it once was.
However, judging by the reaction that we have seen in the news and social media, it seems that we are afraid of failure is Minsk negotiation process, rather than the possibility of firing people.
In my opinion, “Minsk” is not yet effective. Therefore, the fact of the publication of the lists may give some impetus to the process of the release of prisoners. And especially – and part of the list with regard to people who need to issue a self-proclaimed republic. Now we can see who it was made in the lists for the exchange of “leaders” “LNV” and “DNR”, whom they seek to liberate. So, for example, lists seen two representatives of the former “Golden Eagle”, against whom criminal proceedings are open and whose cases are considered in the Ukrainian courts. That is, having received such lists, you need to understand whether all proposed to be transferred to people exchange to exchange.
As for the formula of exchange, which was offered by Nadezhda Savchenko, and found, according to the first reaction in the “LNV” and “DNR” support among the self-proclaimed republics, it should be noted that Savchenko not to decide it. This should solve the state: what concessions it is ready to go in the process of the release of their citizens who are in captivity. That is, it should be the relevant government decision and not the decision of a particular person, even if it works, guided by good intentions and has good intentions. Must be worked out a unified state position, which is to be traced everywhere: in politics, in negotiations at all levels. Nadezhda Savchenko is not authorized to decide whether to carry out the exchange in a format not hold. It should be a public position,
Author: Alina Pavlyuk – the lawyer of the Center for Strategic Affairs of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
Sourse, 11/01/2017
