WASHINGTON—U.S. Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09), OSCE PA Special Representative on Political Prisoners, today issued the following statement urging the leaders of democratic nations to prioritize the release of civilian captives when negotiating a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine:
In recent weeks, G7 heads of state and government have commented on the conditions required for reaching a durable ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. As this conversation continues, I want to draw attention to the fact that thousands of civilians are currently held captive as a result of this war.
They include:
• Ukrainian civilian detainees held by the Russian state, including three OSCE workers
• Ukrainian children forcibly transferred or deported to Russia
• Russian political prisoners held behind bars for opposing dictatorship and war
• Belarusian political prisoners held behind bars for opposing dictatorship and war
Any ceasefire agreement must prioritize the immediate release and return of these individuals — and I urge the leaders of democratic nations to put this issue firmly on the negotiating agenda.
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