Ukraine has taken legal action against the deportation of Kherson orphans. On June 30, 2023, Ukrainian prosecutors pressed charges. They accused a Russian politician and two suspected Ukrainian collaborators. The charges are related to war crimes. The individuals are accused of forcibly removing dozens of young orphans. The orphans were taken from the occupied city of Kherson
If found guilty, the suspects could potentially receive a prison sentence of up to 12 years. This marks the first instance of Ukraine pressing charges for the deportation of orphans during the ongoing war.
The forced deportation of Ukrainian children is a serious violation of international law. International law strictly prohibits the coerced transfer of civilians to an occupying power’s territory. The 1949 Geneva Conventions explicitly state this prohibition. The United Nations has condemned the deportation of Ukrainian children. They classify it as a “war crime.”
The whereabouts of the remaining orphans deported from Kherson remain unknown. Ukrainian authorities are actively working to locate them and facilitate their return home.
The deportation of Kherson orphans serves as a stark reminder of the war’s brutality in Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard children in conflict zones.
