UN Adds Israel and Russia to 'Conflict-Related Sexual Violence' Blacklist

According to an AFP report reviewed on the 28th, the UN's annual list includes dozens of state and non-state actors accused of systematic sexual violence in countries like Sudan, Haiti, and Myanmar. Despite warnings from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last August, the report notes that sexual violence continues to be documented in the Ukraine war and occupied Palestinian territories. The report highlights that investigators have been denied access by authorities in both countries, rendering the data incomplete. Regarding Israel, the report documents a pattern of sexual violence against detained Palestinians, including cases dating back to 2023 involving 21 victims across the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Acts include rape, torture, and forced nudity, with perpetrators identified as members of the Israeli military, security forces, and prison services.