On April 29, Parliament plans to consider draft law 12170, which aims to amend the Criminal Code with provisions concerning war crimes against children.
The co-author of the draft law Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk reported.
The proposed amendments involve adding specific provisions to Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine concerning crimes related to the deportation, illegal transfer, unjustified detention of children’s repatriation during wartime, as well as the recruitment and use of children for military purposes.
«We see how often russia has started to use our children for arson, car bombings, mining, and explosions. We must prevent such cases. There should be criminal penalties for the recruitment of children,» stated Olena Kondratiuk.
Moreover, the Deputy Speaker reminded the importance of charging those people who were involved in kidnapping and re-education of Ukrainian children.
«Amendments to the Criminal Code regarding children are another way to punish not only those who abduct or deport our children but also those who, in violation of international conventions, prevent them from returning home. Legally, this is called 'unjustified detention of repatriation',» stated Olena Kondratiuk, who oversees the parliamentary track of the presidential initiative for the return of deported Ukrainian children, BringKidsBackUA.
According to the official «Children of War» portal, russia has deported, abducted, or illegally transferred 19,546 Ukrainian children. The displaced children are subjected to crimes of indoctrination and militarization—namely, the erasure of their national identity and upbringing in a militarized spirit.
Olena Kondratiuk emphasizes: «When we appeal to our international partners for help in returning our children, it appears quite inconsistent that we ourselves lack specific provisions in our domestic legislation. Yet holding perpetrators accountable is one of the most powerful tools currently at Ukraine’s disposal to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. We must fully utilize this instrument.»
According to her, the draft law has successfully passed deliberation in the relevant parliamentary committee and will be submitted to the plenary chamber for a first reading.