Numerous human rights violations were discovered in Odessa's pretrial detention centers and residential care facilities

At the Odesa Pretrial Detention Center, 93 people have been awaiting their court verdicts for more than three years, and one defendant has been held in custody for nearly 10 years—since October 2016.

This was reported by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights .

According to the ombudsman, violations of detainees’ rights were also identified during a monitoring visit to the detention center. In particular, a man with serious health conditions was placed in solitary confinement without a prior medical examination or the necessary medications. After representatives from the Ombudsman’s Office intervened, a doctor examined him and provided him with vital medications.

In addition, the inspection revealed instances of forgery of official documents. Based on this finding, the State Bureau of Investigations entered the information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and launched an investigation.

PHOTO: Ombudsman of Ukraine

Rights violations were also identified in facilities housing children and people with mental health conditions. In particular, for nearly a year, children who, based on their social status, should be in social welfare facilities have remained at the Odesa Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital. A similar situation has arisen at the City Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 3.

At the Krasnosilsk Children’s Residential Care Home, representatives of the Ombudsman documented substandard conditions in the kitchen: they found cockroaches, cracks in the walls and ceiling, and damaged tiles.

The inspection also uncovered a case of unlawful isolation of a resident—the girl’s hands were tied instead of using an alternative method that would not have humiliated her.

According to Lubinets, the psychological and emotional state of some of the residents requires urgent inpatient treatment. In addition, significant funds are held in the residents’ accounts but are not being used for their individual needs.

Problems were also identified at the Velykorybal Psychoneurological Residential Facility. The roof there is leaking, the premises are in need of repair, and the equipment is outdated. The facility’s administration also reported a shortage of staff due to low wages and mobilization.

The Ombudsman’s Office stated that it will monitor the rectification of the identified violations.

Ірина Глухова