PACE recognises deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia as genocide

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Russia to recognise the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia as genocide of the Ukrainian people. This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Compared to Resolution No. 2495 (2023), which the Assembly adopted last April, the current document contains additional provisions in defence of Ukrainian children.

Importantly, the document has updated the provision that the deportation of Ukrainian children constitutes war crimes, crimes against humanity and contains signs of genocide," the statement said.

Special attention is paid to support for IDPs. The Assembly calls on member states to strengthen political support and support for humanitarian organisations to protect internally displaced children.

The resolution supported the Bring Kids Back UA initiative and the establishment of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children, and welcomed the establishment of the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights, which works under the supervision of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The Assembly called for:

• adopt statements and/or resolutions at the level of national parliaments recognising deportations, forced displacements and unjustified delays in the repatriation of Ukrainian children as a crime of genocide;
• inform the competent authorities of Ukraine about border crossings by Russian citizens who have illegally adopted or established guardianship over a Ukrainian child;
• introduce and further enforce sanctions against rf and rb, and include in the sanctions lists persons involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children;
• assess the involvement of media representatives in propaganda campaigns organised by rf and rb against deported Ukrainian children, with a view to applying appropriate measures, such as denial of accreditation and admission to public events.

In addition, the Assembly will strengthen co-operation by establishing a committee that will enable parliamentarians to contribute to improving the situation of Ukrainian children wherever they are.