MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

children's rights (T)

ŠUICA, Dubravka (EPP, HR, EC)

LAHBIB, Hadja (BE)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Closing statement by Commission and Council

SOUNDBITE (English), Dubravka &Scaron;UICA, Vice-President of the European Commission, -

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, -