Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
228. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what action Ireland is taking in relation to Russia's unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia of Ukrainian children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50036/23]
View answerIreland has been to the forefront of international efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed by Russia in the course of its illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to the territory of Russia and Belarus.
Ireland has raised this issue at multilateral fora, both in our national capacity and as part of the European Union. Ireland co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution establishing the Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
In September 2022, the Commission found that, amongst other grave human rights violations, children have been unlawfully deported to the Russian Federation. In subsequent reports in March and October 2023, the Commission documented further evidence of crimes committed by Russian authorities in Ukraine.
Ireland welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s Prosecutor to issue arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in respect of possible war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia. Last year Ireland made a voluntary contribution of €1m to the Office of the Prosecutor to assist in the investigation of all situations before the Court, including in Ukraine.
On 23 June, the EU’s eleventh sanctions package in response to Russia’s invasion included individuals involved in the illegal deportation of children.
On 30 June, the European Council condemned Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer to Russia and to Belarus of Ukrainian children and called on the Russian Federation and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return.
Ireland will continue to engage with our international partners to ensure accountability for Russia’s actions during the course of this brutal invasion.
