The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted as a whole a draft law №12170 which introduces specific provisions into the Criminal Code of Ukraine concerning war crimes committed against children.
That was announced by the author of the draft law, the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk. The draft law was voted for by 252 MPs.
This draft law is essential for irreversible and just punishment of all those involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children by russia, as well as their “re-education” and militarization. Moreover a tangible contribution of the Parliament to the international initiative of the President of Ukraine, Bring Kids Back UA. We sincerely hope that the law will be signed in the nearest future by the President of Ukraine,» noted Olena Kondratiuk.
In accordance to the law, the Criminal Codex of Ukraine is being supplemented with clearly defined manifestations of war crimes against children, such as:
deportation, illegal relocation;
unjustified delay of children's reparation;
recruitment and use of children in an armed conflict or in military (combat) operations.
As the Deputy Speaker noted, until now, the Criminal Codex did not contain specific provisions on this matter. Each of these criminal acts, which violate the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, is now subject to criminal liability — with penalties ranging from 8 to 12 years of imprisonment.
«The entry into force of this law will significantly facilitate the work of law enforcement agencies in bringing specific russian officials and all those involved to justice for each of the defined crimes against Ukrainian children. It will also greatly strengthen our efforts on the international stage to apply personal sanctions against russian war criminals,» emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
The Vice Speaker also expressed her gratitude to the co-authors of the draft law: the Chairman of Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, the First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko, and Member of Parliament Halyna Mykhailiuk.
«Thanks for the fruitful cooperation to the specialised Law Enforcement Committee - all those who helped and supported this draft law in the first reading and in general!» outlined Olena Kondratiuk.