The European Parliament has recognized Russia's actions against Ukrainian children as genocide

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution regarding Ukrainian children whom Russia has forcibly removed from their homes or is holding in the occupied territories. The resolution was approved by 536 Members of the European Parliament.

This was reported by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

The resolution concerns not only deported children but also approximately 1.6 million minors who remain in the temporarily occupied territories.

The European Parliament demands that Russia cease the forced Russification of children, the imposition of Russian views on them, and their militarization. The document also emphasizes the need to guarantee Ukrainian children the right to be educated in their native language and the opportunity to safely leave the occupied territories.

<picture></picture>PHOTO: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The resolution states that Russia’s actions against Ukrainian children meet the legal definition of genocide. The European Parliament called on European Union member states to officially recognize this.

In addition, lawmakers called for expanding sanctions against all those involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and their forced re-education.

Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk thanked the MEPs for drawing attention to Russia’s crimes against Ukrainian children.

According to her, increasing sanctions pressure on Russia should help bring the children home and put an end to the violations of their rights.

Ірина Глухова