A UN inquiry finds Russia committed crimes against humanity by deporting thousands of Ukrainian children, with 80% still not returned home.

GENEVA: A United Nations-mandated inquiry has concluded that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity through the deportation and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine stated that the evidence collected leads to this grave conclusion, which also includes the crime of enforced disappearance of children.

Established by the UN Human Rights Council shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the commission said Russia had deported or transferred “thousands” of children from occupied Ukrainian areas.

The commission has so far confirmed the specific deportation or transfer of 1,205 children from Ukraine to Russia.

It further reported that four years on, 80% of the children deported or transferred in the cases it investigated have still not been able to return to Ukraine.

The inquiry found that Moscow has failed to establish any system to facilitate the children’s return, focusing instead on their long-term placement with Russian families or in institutions.

The commission confirmed its previous finding that the unlawful deportation and transfer of children constitutes a war crime, adding that Russia’s unjustifiable delay in their repatriation is also a war crime.

It stated that the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been visible from the outset, including through his direct authority over the entities executing this policy.

Moscow does not recognise the commission’s authority and does not respond to its requests for access, information, or meetings.

 The Sun Malaysia