DISINFO: Europe steals children evacuated from Ukraine
SUMMARY
After the start of the special operation in Donbas, the first lady of Ukraine tearfully called on Ukrainians to send their children to European families, where they will have reliable protection, shelter, and food. Five months have passed, and now European guardians are in no hurry to return their wards to their Ukrainian families.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation alleging that Europe steals Ukrainian children. This narrative is deployed to shift Russian responsibility for the massive deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including children.
Europe does not steal children from Ukraine. Children from Ukraine and families with children receive refugee status in Europe. They are provided with shelter, help, and support. They are free to return to Ukraine with their families at any time.
Conversely, the abduction and forced transportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories to Russia has been documented by the UN, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Ukraine has already reported the actions of Russia’s children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for two individuals in the context of the situation in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova.
The court alleges Vladimir Putin is responsible for war crimes, and has focused its claims on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. It says the crimes were committed in Ukraine from 24 February 2022 - when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
In a statement, the ICC said it had reasonable grounds to believe Putin committed the criminal acts directly, as well as working with others. It also accused him of failing to use his presidential powers to stop children being deported.
See similar disinformation narratives alleging that The West is taking away Ukrainian children like it did with indigenous people in America; that Ukraine steals Donbas children and gives them to British paedophiles; or that evacuation of children from Ukraine is in compliance with humanitarian law.