✓ verbatim from the press ≈ paraphrased
The United Nations included Israeli and Russian security forces on its annual list of sexual violence related to armed conflicts, according to a report by Secretary-General António Guterres accessed by AFP on Thursday (28). The decision affects two countries that had already been warned in August 2025 about the possibility of inclusion on the list. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A Organização das Nações Unidas incluiu forças de segurança de Israel e da Rússia em sua lista anual sobre violência sexual relacionada a conflitos armados. A decisão consta em um relatório do secretário-geral da ONU, António Guterres, ao qual a AFP teve acesso nesta quinta-feira, 28."
In the Israeli case, the UN confirmed in 2025 several episodes of sexual violence against Palestinians detained in Israel and occupied territories since 2023. The allegations include torture, gang rape, rape with objects, genital assault, forced nudity and body searches considered without security justification, involving 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl in Gaza and the West Bank. The UN attributes the abuses to members of the Israeli army, security forces and prison system. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A ONU confirmou em 2025 vários casos de violência sexual que remontam a 2023, "incluindo tortura", contra 14 homens, 7 mulheres, 9 meninos e uma menina na Faixa de Gaza e na Cisjordânia. Os abusos incluem estupro com objeto, estupros coletivos, violência física contra os órgãos genitais, nudez forçada e revistas corporais "sem aparente justificativa de segurança"."
Regarding Russia, the report points to occurrences of sexual violence in occupied Ukrainian territories and within Russia itself. Based on data from the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, the UN recorded 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including reports from prisoners of war who claimed to have suffered rape, genital mutilation and electric shocks during detention, mostly committed against men. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Com base em dados da missão de monitoramento de direitos humanos na Ucrânia, o documento menciona 310 casos de violência sexual relacionada ao conflito, incluindo estupros, mutilação genital e choques elétricos, a grande maioria cometida contra homens."
Israel reacted harshly even before the official disclosure. Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon classified the decision as "shameful and absurd," claiming it would place Israel and Hamas — which is already on the list — on the same level. Israel decided to freeze relations with Guterres' office until the end of his mandate, scheduled for December 31. The report laments the "persistent denial of access" by authorities from both countries, hindering inspections and independent investigations. ≈
Press quotes (1)
"O embaixador israelense nas Nações Unidas, Danny Danon, classificou a medida como "vergonhosa e absurda". Segundo ele, a inclusão colocaria Israel e o Hamas, que já integra a lista, em um mesmo patamar. Danon afirmou ainda que Israel decidiu congelar as relações com o gabinete de António Guterres até o encerramento do mandato do secretário-geral, previsto para 31 de dezembro."
-
What will be the practical impact of inclusion on the UN list for Israel and Russia?
Why it's still unknown: The articles do not specify what concrete consequences inclusion on the list may generate for the countries
-
How did Israel and Russia formally respond to the specific accusations detailed in the report?
Why it's still unknown: Only Israel's prior reaction was reported; there is no detailed official response from either country to the specific allegations
-
What other countries or groups are currently on the UN list of sexual violence in conflicts?
Why it's still unknown: The reports only mention that Hamas was already on the list, but do not provide the complete context of the list
-
What is the status of independent investigations that were hindered by denial of access?
Why it's still unknown: The report mentions access difficulties but does not detail what specific investigations were hindered or suspended