Human rights activists have developed a "Strategy for the release of civilians" aimed at the fastest possible return of Ukrainian civilians illegally detained by Russia. The Russian Federation illegally holds more than seven thousand civilians in the occupied territories and on its territory. During the two years of the invasion, the Russian Federation handed over 160 civilian hostages to Ukraine. At the current rate, it will take Ukraine about 100 years to free all its citizens.
Experts from the Center for Civil Liberties, together with experts from the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, have developed a strategy for the release of civilians. This document is focused on ensuring the rights of detained civilians and their release.
The main target group of the document is civilians who have not been convicted by Russian courts and who have no criminal cases. In such cases, human rights defenders will demand their release without conditions or exchanges.
