The UN says there are credible reports of Russian forces taking Ukrainian children and putting them up for adoption
The Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights at the UN, Ilze Brands Kehris believes Russian forces are running “filtration” operations in Ukraine.
She said Ukrainians in occupied regions are facing human rights violations as Russia continues its so-called “military operation”.
The UN believes Russia is streamlining the process for children to receive citizenship without parental care.
“We are concerned that the Russian authorities have adopted a simplified procedure to grant Russian citizenship to children without parental care, and that these children would be eligible for adoption by Russian families.”
Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
Russia denies these claims, with Moscow’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya describing them as “unfounded”.
Nebenzya said the “filtration” allegations were people registering to travel to Russia.
The U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said over 1,800 children were transferred to Russia in July alone.
“And there is mounting and credible evidence that those considered threatening to Russian control because of perceived pro-Ukrainian leanings are ‘disappeared’ or further detained.”
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN
Human Rights Watch has conducted its own research into the matters. In a report released last week, it found “force deportation is taking place,” and it amounts to a “war crime”.
The organisation said the practices are “a serious violation of the laws of war that constitute war crimes and potential crimes against humanity”.
