Ukraine’s forcibly transferred children must not be a bargaining chip
Summary
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and especially after the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces have forcibly transferred over 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia without their parents' consent. International courts and organizations have condemned these actions as illegal under international law and classified them as crimes against humanity, but many children remain separated from their families.Key Facts
- Russia occupied parts of Ukraine starting in 2014 and expanded this invasion in 2022.
- Over 20,000 Ukrainian children were taken to Russia without permission from their parents or guardians.
- International law forbids forced transfers of people from occupied territories except in specific, safe evacuations that keep families together.
- Many transferred children were kept under strict conditions, made to study Russian, and underwent military training.
- The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian leaders for these forced transfers.
- The European Court of Human Rights found Russia responsible for human rights violations related to child removal.
- The UN reported that the deportation of Ukrainian children was a planned policy by Russian authorities and called it a crime against humanity.
- Efforts by Ukraine, NGOs, and foreign mediators have returned around 2,000 children so far, but many remain in Russia.
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