Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2024
48. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to claims that up to 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly moved to Russian detention camps since the Russian invasion of their country in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/24]
View answerIreland has been unequivocal that the deportation or forcible transfer of children may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus is part of a coordinated effort to erase Ukrainian identity. These children face Russian “re-education,” vilification of their nationality, forced adoption, and coercion to accept Russian citizenship.
At the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on 15-16 June, the Taoiseach joined fellow leaders in calling for the return of these children as part of any future peace settlement for Ukraine.
In February, Ireland joined the ‘International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.’ We are engaging in discussions on the future work of the Coalition, and how it can support efforts to ensure the return of Ukrainian children to their families and communities.
The European Council has condemned in the strongest terms Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia and to Belarus of Ukrainian children. Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression in Ukraine, including a range of measures targeting individuals and entities involved in the forced transfer, deportation, and military indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
We note that such alleged crimes as they concern Ukraine are the subject of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. Ireland has raised this issue in our statements in multilateral forums in our national capacity and as part of the European Union. We co-sponsored a resolution of Human Rights Council establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Ireland will continue to engage with our partners to insist that Russia and Belarus immediately ensure the safe return of all children unlawfully deported in the course of this brutal invasion.
