The draft resolution during the emergency special session was approved by 91 votes in favor, 12 against and 57 abstentions, exceeding the required two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
THE resolution expresses its deep concern about the fate of Ukrainian children separated from their families since 2014 – when Moscow annexed Crimea –, in particular those transferred to occupied Ukrainian territory and those deported to Russia.
It calls these acts violations of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forcible transfer or expulsion of protected persons from occupied territories.
Detailed resolution
It “demands that the Russian Federation guarantee the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or expelled” and urges Moscow to cease any further practices of expulsion, separation from families, change of citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families and indoctrination.
The text also calls on the UN Secretary-General to intensify his good offices, notably through his Special Representative for Children and armed conflictto coordinate UN action, work with Russia to find captured people and guarantee access for international surveillance and humanitarian organizations.
He also expressed support for international initiatives aimed at ensuring the rapid return of Ukrainian children as well as their rehabilitation and reintegration, including access to health care, psychosocial support and education.
Kidnapped at gunpoint
Opening of the meeting, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock described the ordeal faced by Ukrainian children removed from their homes.
“Imagine you are 16 years old and you are going about your day […] “When suddenly soldiers armed with machine guns and wearing balaclavas to hide their faces burst into your home,” she said.
“They force you into your vehicle and chase you in an unknown direction, and you end up stuck in a nightmare for months, with a different name.”
She stressed that international law is unambiguous.
“So what we are seeing is not just a tragedy for some children, but a violation of international law,” Baerbock said, citing Article 49 of the law. Fourth Geneva Convention.
Question of humanity
Presenting the draft, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said the text “is not about politics… but about humanity.”
Amid Russia’s war of aggression, she said, children were killed, injured, raped, separated from their families and expelled.
“It is unimaginable that anyone could consider children as war trophies,” she said, adding that at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia.
“Not a single child should be separated from their family,” she stressed.
“Cynical lie”
Russia rejected the resolution as politically motivated. Ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya, deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the meeting went against peace efforts and called the resolution “a particularly cynical lie.”
She insisted that Moscow remained open to cooperation on children’s issues, calling on all states to oppose the text.
“Every vote in favor of the resolution is support for lies, war and confrontation,” she said.
By this resolution, the General Assembly also decided to temporarily adjourn its emergency special session, authorizing the President of the Assembly to reconvene it at the request of Member States.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
