UN: Russia’s child abductions crimes against humanity

A UN investigation has found that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities since the start of the invasion in 2022 constitute crimes against humanity. The findings are contained in a report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which is to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday.

The report warns that the actions have irreversible consequences for the children’s lives and futures. The commission examined the cases of 1,205 children from five Ukrainian regions. According to its findings, about 80 per cent of them have still not returned to Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities say that since the beginning of the invasion, Russia has illegally deported or forcibly displaced more than 19,500 children to Russia and Belarus, which, according to Kyiv, violates the Geneva Conventions.

The UN report states that the deportations and transfers were carried out from various locations across large areas occupied by Russia and showed signs of a consistent pattern of behaviour. According to the commission, this indicates that the acts were widespread and systematic.

Russia rejects the accusations and says it evacuated people from war zones voluntarily in order to ensure their safety.

(reuters, max)