UN adds Israeli and Russian forces to blacklist for sexual violence during conflict

The United Nations has for the first time added Israeli and Russian security forces to its annual blacklist of parties credibly suspected of perpetrating sexual violence in conflict, according to a report released by the world body on Friday. The listing, compiled by the UN’s Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, alleges that Israeli forces are involved in incidents of rape and other forms of sexual abuse against Palestinians in detention, while Russian forces are accused of systematic sexual violence in occupied regions of Ukraine. The document names 77 government and non-state actors across 18 countries, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the UN’s monitoring of conflict-related sexual violence.

The inclusion of Israeli and Russian forces follows years of documented allegations by human rights organisations, journalists, and survivors, but their formal appearance on the blacklist reflects a higher threshold of UN verification. For Israel, reports from groups such as Amnesty International and B’Tselem have long accused security personnel of using sexual violence as a tool of intimidation during arrests and interrogations, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Similarly, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and investigative outlets like *The New York Times* and *Meduza* have documented multiple cases of Russian soldiers raping civilians, often in front of family members, in occupied territories such as Kherson and Donetsk. The UN report states that the inclusion is based on “reasonable grounds” to believe such acts occurred as part of a broader pattern.

The implications of this blacklisting extend beyond diplomatic condemnation. The UN’s annual report is used by governments, donors, and peacekeeping missions to inform sanctions, funding decisions, and peace process engagements. Countries and entities on the list are typically subjected to greater scrutiny and may face restrictions in receiving military aid or participating in UN-backed negotiations. For Israel, already under intense international scrutiny over its military conduct in Gaza, the listing risks further isolating its government and could influence votes in international forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. For Russia, already heavily sanctioned since the invasion of Ukraine, the designation adds another layer of legal and reputational pressure, potentially justifying further restrictions on military cooperation or asset freezes.

Critics, however, caution that the blacklist’s effectiveness depends on follow-through. Previous UN listings—such as those involving the Taliban or the Democratic Republic of the Congo—have often been met with limited accountability. The international community’s response to this latest report will be closely watched, particularly as geopolitical divisions continue to hinder unified action on human rights violations. The inclusion of Israeli and Russian forces signals not only a recognition of long-standing abuses but also a test of the UN’s ability to translate moral condemnation into tangible consequences.