Russia’s alleged deportation of Ukrainian children has caused a UN standoff – what international law says and why it matters

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 08:55:56 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/russias-alleged-deportation-of-ukrainian-children-has-caused-a-un-standoff-what-international-law-says-and-why-it-matters-202430>

"The New Zealand government’s sanctioning of Russian commissioner for
children’s rights Maria Lvova-Belova is a further demonstration of its concern
over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. But it is only a small step in what will
likely be a very long road to justice.

In March, the reported removal of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied
territory to Russia itself triggered the International Criminal Court to issue
arrest warrants for Russian president Vladimir Putin and Lvova-Belova.

The warrants allege the transfer of children to the Russian Federation is
unlawful: such actions are war crimes under the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court. Lvova-Belova and Putin have rejected the
accusations, with Putin having claimed the issue would be raised at the United
Nations Security Council in early April.

Russia – controversially – now holds the council presidency for the month, but
has faced immediate resistance. Because of Lvova-Belova’s involvement, Britain
has blocked a planned UN webcast of an informal council meeting to discuss the
deportation issue.

Meanwhile, the war continues to have a profound impact on children. Hundreds
have been killed in indiscriminate attacks, schools have been disrupted, some
two million have been made refugees or are living in extreme poverty. The
deportation of children simply piles misery onto misery."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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