UN Adds Israel and Russia to Annual Sexual Violence in Conflict Blacklist
The United Nations has included Israeli and Russian security forces in its annual list of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence, marking a significant development in the organization’s ongoing monitoring of wartime human rights violations.
The decision appears in the UN Secretary-General’s latest report on conflict-related sexual violence, which documents allegations and verified cases involving civilians, detainees, prisoners of war, and other vulnerable groups affected by armed conflicts around the world.
According to the report, both countries were added after investigators documented patterns of abuse linked to military and security personnel operating in conflict zones.
Allegations Detail Abuse in Palestinian Territories and Ukraine
The report outlines verified incidents involving Palestinian men, women, and children in Gaza and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025. Investigators cited allegations including rape, sexual torture, forced nudity, invasive searches, and other forms of abuse committed during detention and interrogation.
UN findings also highlighted cases linked to Russian forces during the war in Ukraine. Investigators recorded hundreds of verified allegations involving prisoners of war and detained civilians. Many of the documented victims were male detainees, according to the report.
The annual blacklist currently includes dozens of state and non-state actors from conflict zones worldwide that are considered credibly suspected of committing patterns of sexual violence during armed conflicts.
Strong Reactions Follow UN Decision
The move triggered immediate diplomatic backlash.
Israeli officials rejected the findings and condemned the decision, arguing that the allegations are politically motivated. Reports indicate that Israel announced it would halt engagement with the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres following the blacklist designation.
Russian officials also denied the accusations and criticized the report’s conclusions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials welcomed the inclusion of Russian forces on the list, describing it as recognition of documented abuses during the ongoing conflict.
Global Cases of Conflict Sexual Violence Continue to Rise
The UN report comes amid growing concern over the rise of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide. Officials reported thousands of documented cases across multiple war zones during the past year, affecting women, men, and children.
While inclusion on the blacklist does not automatically trigger sanctions, it can carry serious diplomatic consequences and may affect participation in certain UN-related activities and peacekeeping operations. The report is intended to increase accountability and encourage investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
