Red Cross says it shares "frustration" about lack of access to prisoners of war in Ukraine

International Committee of Red Cross shared ir 'frustration regarding lack of access to all prisoners of war', a day after being accused by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not sending officials to prison at Olenivka. 

Earlier, Zelensky accused International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) of inaction in upholding rights of POWs in Ukraine and called m to visit a prison in Olenivka, Eastern Ukraine, where dozens of POWs in Ukraine died in an explosion and fire in July amid Russia Ukraine War.

In his nightly dress on Thursday, Zelenskyy said that Red Cross is "not a club with privileges where one receives a salary and enjoys life". "But it requires leership," President Zelensky said in a subtle criticism of Red Cross, ding, " Red Cross can make it happen. But you have to try to make it happen."

In a statement released by ICRC, it said, “We share frustration regarding our lack of access to all prisoners of war (POWs) held in international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. We have been working since February to obtain access to check on conditions and treatment of POWs and keep ir families informed about ir loved ones. We have been able to visit hundreds of POWs but re are thousands more who we have not been able to see.”

‘We have been rey for months’: International Committee of Red Cross

In official statement released by ICRC, it also pointed out that  Third Geneva Convention obliges parties to an international armed conflict to grant ICRC immediate access to all POWs, and right to visit m wherever y are held.  

ICRC ded, “We want to stress that our teams are rey on ground and have been rey for months, to visit Olenivka penal facility and any or location where POWs are held. However, beyond being granted access by high levels of authority, this requires practical arrangements to materialise on ground. We cannot access by force a place of detention or internment where we have not been mitted. All States have committed to respecting Geneva Conventions. Giving ICRC access to visit prisoners of war is a legal obligation. It also helps preserve humanity in an international armed conflict that has created an immeasurable loss for countless families."

It furr said, "Our mission can only be achieved through coordinated efforts with parties to conflict. And we ask m and international community to support role we have been given.”

International Committee of Red Cross has been working in Ukraine since 2014

ICRC has been working with a team of over 600 members in Ukraine since 2014. y have been working with aid of ir Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners and Ukrainian Red Cross Society. ICRC operates in 100 countries, helping people affected by armed violence and conflict and promoting herence to laws that protect POWs, states official website.