Freed hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov details torture, sexual assault by Iraqi captors – The Times of Israel

Report on Human Rights Violations and Sustainable Development Goal Setbacks in the Case of Elizabeth Tsurkov

Executive Summary

This report details the abduction and subsequent two-and-a-half-year captivity of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov by the Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq. The case represents a severe contravention of international human rights law and a significant setback to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The account of her ordeal, including torture, sexual assault, and prolonged solitary confinement, underscores grave violations related to peace and justice (SDG 16), gender equality (SDG 5), and good health and well-being (SDG 3). Furthermore, the interruption of her academic work highlights a direct assault on quality education (SDG 4). Her eventual release, facilitated by international diplomatic efforts, points to the critical importance of global partnerships (SDG 17) in addressing such crises.

Violations of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The abduction and detention of Ms. Tsurkov by a non-state armed group fundamentally undermine the principles of peace, justice, and the rule of law as outlined in SDG 16. The incident demonstrates a failure to protect civilians and ensure accountability.

• Erosion of Rule of Law: Ms. Tsurkov was abducted on March 21, 2023, by armed men, operating outside of any legal framework, thereby challenging state authority and the monopoly on justice.
• Violence Against Civilians: She was subjected to systematic physical and psychological violence, including being beaten, electrocuted, and used as a “punching bag,” in direct opposition to SDG 16.1’s target to reduce all forms of violence.
• Lack of Access to Justice: Held incommunicado in a windowless room, she was denied any legal recourse or protection. Her captors falsely accused her of espionage and used torture to extract coerced confessions.
• Undermining Institutions: The actions of Kataib Hezbollah exemplify how non-state actors can destabilize regions and perpetrate violence with impunity, weakening the strong institutions necessary for peaceful societies.

Infringement on SDG 5: Gender Equality

The treatment of Ms. Tsurkov included specific forms of gender-based violence, highlighting the acute vulnerabilities faced by women in conflict and unstable environments and directly violating the targets of SDG 5.

• Sexual Violence: The report confirms Ms. Tsurkov was sexually assaulted upon her abduction, a clear violation of SDG 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
• Targeted Threats: One captor was described as being “obsessed with sex” and made explicit threats of rape, using gender as a tool for intimidation and psychological torture.
• Gender-Specific Abuse: The captor’s act of grabbing a tattoo on her thigh represents a form of sexualized abuse and an assertion of power rooted in gender inequality.

Detrimental Impacts on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The prolonged torture and inhumane conditions of Ms. Tsurkov’s captivity have resulted in severe and lasting damage to her physical and mental health, in stark contrast to the objectives of SDG 3.

1. Severe Physical Harm: Beatings resulted in the loss of a tooth and other injuries so severe that she remains unable to sit or stand for extended periods and requires ongoing physical rehabilitation.
2. Psychological Trauma: Two years of solitary confinement, constant threats, and torture have inflicted significant psychological distress, undermining the promotion of mental health and well-being (SDG 3.4).
3. Inhumane Conditions: For the majority of her captivity, she was held in a windowless room, “never saw the sun,” and was subjected to extreme physical and mental abuse, constituting a complete disregard for human well-being.

Disruption to SDG 4: Quality Education and Academic Freedom

As a doctoral student at Princeton University conducting research, Ms. Tsurkov’s abduction represents an attack on the pursuit of knowledge and academic freedom, which are essential components of SDG 4.

• Interruption of Education: Her kidnapping forcibly halted her doctoral research, directly impeding her right to education and academic contribution.
• Resilience in Captivity: Despite the conditions, Ms. Tsurkov demonstrated commitment to her academic work by using a provided notebook to plan her doctoral thesis and develop article ideas, highlighting the intrinsic value she places on education.
• Attack on Researchers: The targeting of an academic engaged in field research sends a chilling message that threatens the global pursuit of knowledge and cross-cultural understanding.

Conclusion: The Imperative for Global Partnership (SDG 17)

Ms. Tsurkov’s case illustrates the devastating human cost when the principles of the SDGs are violated. Her release was ultimately secured not through local justice mechanisms but through sustained international diplomatic pressure, underscoring the vital role of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• International Cooperation: Ms. Tsurkov credited the “incredible determination” of Trump administration officials for securing her freedom, demonstrating how bilateral and international partnerships are crucial for protecting human rights.
• Call for Accountability: To uphold SDG 16, global partnerships must continue to advocate for accountability for perpetrators of such crimes to prevent future occurrences.
• Protecting Vulnerable Populations: The international community must strengthen partnerships to protect civilians, particularly women and academics, in fragile and conflict-affected regions to ensure progress on all Sustainable Development Goals.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most central SDG, as the article details a case of kidnapping, torture, and illegal detention by a non-state terrorist group, which represents a complete breakdown of peace, justice, and the rule of law.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article explicitly mentions gender-based violence. Elizabeth Tsurkov was “sexually assaulted,” and a captor “threatened her with rape.” This connects the events directly to the goal of eliminating violence against women.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The severe physical and psychological trauma described, including being “beaten, tortured, electrocuted,” losing a tooth, and suffering from constant pain that requires her to lie down, directly relates to physical and mental health and well-being.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   • The article provides a detailed account of multiple forms of violence experienced by Elizabeth Tsurkov, including being “beaten,” “tortured,” “electrocuted,” and “sexually assaulted.” Her statement that she was used “as a punching bag” and that she “genuinely believe I would have died” highlights the life-threatening nature of this violence, directly addressing the core of this target.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   • Tsurkov’s abduction and imprisonment by Kataib Hezbollah, a non-state actor, occurred entirely outside of any legal framework. She was held in a “windowless room,” accused of being a spy without trial, and tortured to extract false confessions. This situation represents a complete absence of the rule of law and access to justice.

3. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

   • The article explicitly states that upon her kidnapping, Tsurkov was “sexually assaulted.” It also notes that one of her captors was “very obsessed with sex” and “threatened her with rape.” These events are clear instances of violence against women, which this target aims to eliminate.

4. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The long-term health consequences of the violence are evident. The article mentions she is “missing a tooth due to her beatings,” suffers from injuries that make “sitting or standing too painful,” and is “undergoing rehabilitation in Israel.” This points to the severe, lasting impact on her physical and mental well-being, which is a key focus of this target.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical, (b) psychological or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months.

   • The article serves as a qualitative case study for this indicator. Tsurkov’s testimony of being “beaten” (physical violence), tortured to invent “false, believable stories” (psychological violence), and “sexually assaulted” (sexual violence) directly corresponds to all three components of this indicator.

2. Indicator 5.2.2: Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence.

   • The account of Tsurkov being “sexually assaulted” by her captors after being “forced into an SUV” is a direct example that could be measured by this indicator. It details sexual violence perpetrated by individuals who were not intimate partners.

3. Qualitative Indicators of Health Impact (Relating to SDG 3)

   • While the article does not provide quantitative data, it offers strong qualitative indicators of harm to health and well-being. The descriptions of her physical state—”missing a tooth,” “constant pain,” and the need for “rehabilitation in Israel”—serve as measures of the failure to protect an individual’s health in a situation of violent conflict and illegal detention.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofisrael.com