Russia should release unlawfully detained persons unconditionally

Prisoner exchange has become one of the most sensitive and painful aspects of the Russia-Ukraine war. Unlike the treatment of prisoners of war, there is no established procedure for the exchange of civilians. Ukraine insists that civilians should be released unconditionally, not turned into bargaining chips. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliamentary commissioner for human rights, says Russia is turning human lives into political leverage. Excerpts from an interview:

- MRIDULA GHOSH

Could you share the latest figures on prisoner exchanges?

Between February 2022 and August 14 this year, 5,941 persons have been released from Russian captivity through 67 exchanges. These include 5,589 servicepersons and 352 civilians. At present, another stage of the implementation of the Istanbul Agreements on the release and return of prisoners of war is ongoing. All data are regularly updated by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and I take part in its work as the Ukrainian parliamentary commissioner for human rights, along with my colleagues in the security and defence sectors.

How does Russia decide whom to send back? Is there a pattern to who is included on their lists, or is it more about political leverage and pressure on Ukraine?