Israel and Russia Added to UN Sexual Violence Blacklist

Why in the News? : The United Nations (UN) has included Israel and Russia for the first time in its annual blacklist of parties credibly suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The decision was announced in the UN Secretary-General’s report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), highlighting a rise in such violations across conflict zones during 2025.

About UN Sexual Violence Blacklist

• The UN Sexual Violence Blacklist is part of the annual report submitted by the UN Secretary-General to the UN Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence. 
• It names governments, armed forces and non-state actors that are credibly suspected of committing rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution and other forms of sexual violence in conflict situations.
• The list serves as a mechanism of accountability by publicly naming alleged perpetrators and encouraging corrective measures. 
• Although inclusion does not automatically result in sanctions, it can damage a country’s international reputation and may affect participation in UN peacekeeping operations if violations persist.
• The latest report blacklisted 77 state and non-state actors across 12 conflict-affected countries and noted a sharp increase in conflict-related sexual violence cases in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Why Were Israel and Russia Included? 

The UN report found credible evidence of patterns of conflict-related sexual violence allegedly committed by Israeli and Russian security forces in conflict zones.

Israel

According to the UN report, Israeli military, security and prison personnel were involved in documented cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the West Bank.

• According to the report, the United Nations verified multiple incidents involving 14 men, 7 women, 9 boys and 1 girl. 
• The violations included rape, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence against genital organs, forced nudity, threats of rape, invasive strip and cavity searches, and targeted shootings of the genitals. 
• The report noted that many incidents occurred during detention, interrogation, military operations and at checkpoints.
• The report further stated that rape and gang rape were perpetrated against nine victims, most of whom were from Gaza. In some instances, the abuses were allegedly photographed or filmed. 

• Several survivors included journalists and human rights defenders. Several incidents reportedly occurred during detention, interrogation, military operations, and at checkpoints.

Russia

• In the case of Russia, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence attributed to Russian armed and security forces. 

• The victims included 280 men, 26 women and 4 girls. 

• Reported abuses included rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, electric shocks, beatings to the genitals and other forms of torture.

• The incidents were documented in the context of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.

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Response of Israel and Russia

Both countries have rejected the allegations. 

• Israel described the decision as politically motivated and strongly criticized the UN Secretary-General for placing Israel on the same blacklist as terrorist groups such as Hamas and ISIS. 
• In response, Israel announced that it would sever official ties with the office of the UN Secretary-General until a new Secretary-General assumes office.
• Russia had previously dismissed similar allegations and denied responsibility for the reported violations. The Russian side has consistently maintained that accusations against its forces are politically driven.