The Tbilisi team of UnMode has developed its own protocol for responding to the situation of meeting Ukrainian ex-prisoners. Our work involves retrieving them from the border, providing overnight accommodation, and compiling a list of their needs. Over the past three days, we have received two groups of individuals, totaling 7 people, all of whom were previously illegally transported from the occupied Kherson region and redistributed to correctional colonies in the russian federation.
Due to the absence of documented repatriation procedures, ex-Ukrainian prisoners are being indefinitely transferred within the system of Temporary Detention Centers for Foreign Citizens (TDCFC) throughout russia. Even their relatives are unable to obtain information about their whereabouts, as the majority of individuals from the transported group have no means of communication.
As a human rights organization, we assert that their stay in TDCFC is unlawful and deprives released Ukrainian citizens of their procedural status and limited rights as convicts, such as access to medical treatment.
Since January 2023, UnMode has been providing comprehensive support to Ukrainian prisoners forcibly relocated to russia, including direct legal assistance for their release and assistance in organizing their safe return to Ukraine.
Despite the difficulties our team has faced, including the director's interrogations by the police, the Organization continues to engage with governmental bodies. We inform local medical, police, and judicial authorities about the mission and activities of UnMode, establish new channels of cooperation with diplomatic institutions and international human rights organizations.
We continue to support Ukrainians incarcerated in russian prisons and seek resources to help each of them return home. Although it may seem impossible, we firmly believe in the power of civil society and the power of good.
If you know Ukrainian citizens in russian prisons or their relatives, please share our contact information with them: E-mail: unmode.contact@gmail.com Telegram: +380 633 71 34 37 Signal: +995 591 06 02 55
If you are a lawyer, legal expert, journalist, human rights defender, or specialist in the field of HIV infection, tuberculosis, prisoners, refugees, migrants, and you have ideas, willingness, and time to help Ukrainian citizens in russian prisons, please do not hesitate to contact us.