Chapter 4. Observing the rights of military personnel, police officers, retired military service personnel, veterans and their family members 97 Example The Commissioner was approached by the father of serviceman S., who reported that his son had been seriously injured during his capture by representatives of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. The prisoner of war was not given a proper medical examination and was not provided with necessary primary health care. The Commissioner sent official letters to representatives of the Russian authorities, drawing attention to serviceman S.’s right to medical examination and assistance from medical personnel of the relevant authorities of the aggressor country, as set forth in international humanitarian law. As a result of these letters, S. was immediately examined and received appropriate medical care. Forcing prisoners of war to remove their uniforms The Commissioner undertook monitoring of the conditions of prisoners and detainees in places of temporary detention and imprisonment, which revealed that the representatives of illegal armed groups and the aggressor state had violated the right of prisoners of war to wear uniforms with distinctive insignia in captivity and deprived them of their identity documents. Monitoring undertaken by the Commissioner of the conditions of military personnel detained by the Russian Federation in temporary detention facilities revealed systematic and persistent violations of international law on the proper quality of healthcare for detainees, including emergency care, examinations and surgeries, by representatives of public authorities of the aggressor country Example In September 2019, a medical examination of serviceman H. at the National Military Medical Clinical Centre “Main Military Clinical Hospital” revealed that he had developed a tumour as a result of the conditions under which he had been held captive. If the tumour had been removed in the military medical institution, this would have resulted in the discharge of the serviceman from military service for health reasons. With the participation and support of the Commissioner, specialists from foreign clinics were involved in the treatment, including surgery, which meant that H. was able to continue with his military service once the tumour had been removed. Violation of the right to legal protection during detention, and prosecution, and in court proceedings Representatives of public authorities of the Russian Federation are systematically denying detainees the right to access qualified legal assistance and to consult with lawyers of their choice, or to access CHAPTER 4 Lack of healthcare during the detention of prisoners in the Russian Federation