Qatar is the mediating country in the negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding the return of forcibly deported children. This week, the human rights commissioner of the parliament, Dmytro Lubinets, met with the Minister of International Cooperation of Qatar, Lolwa Rashid Al-Khater. The main focus of the meeting was the return of deported orphans and children deprived of parental care.
3.6 thousand orphans were illegally taken away
“We gave Qatar a list of the names of 561 Ukrainian children deported by the Russian Federation in order to return the children home. We discussed the issue of returning so-called “status” children: orphans, children deprived of parental care. Legally between biological parents and official adoptive parents or guardians there is no difference. Therefore, the Russian Federation is obliged to return the children, regardless of their status!”, he noted Dmytro Lubinets.
In addition, Qatar agreed to accept the first list of orphans and children deprived of parental care and to work on their return to Ukraine. According to the data available to the Ukrainian Ombudsman, there may be more than 3,600 such children.
At present, the category “deportees” can be included more than 19 thousand minor Ukrainians. They were taken to uncontrolled Ukrainian territories, to the Russian Federation or Belarus. 669 children have already been returned.
There were no direct negotiations with Russia
Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Russian Federation, said that the first face-to-face Ukrainian-Russian negotiations regarding the return of children have already taken place. Lubinets denied this information. It will be recalled that the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova, who is accused of abducting children.
“There were no direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia! The return of Ukrainian children and negotiations are taking place through the mediation of Qatar and Qatari diplomats. I emphasize that Ukraine is negotiating with Qatar and I had a meeting with the delegation of Qatar. For us, the return of children is not just about transportation.” reunification with the family. This is about the commission of an international crime, and about specific officials. We have sent all the problematic issues that we would like the Qatari side to discuss with Russia in advance.” says the authorized representative of the Verkhovna Rada on human rights.
Qatar will help in the recovery of young Ukrainians
Already 16 children, who were returned from the Russian Federation as a result of the negotiations, were able to receive treatment and rest in Qatar.
“The country has organized a program of recovery and recovery for families. Already the first 16 returned Ukrainian children with their parents or guardians had the opportunity to receive a foreign medical examination, psychosocial support, as well as to get to know Qatar and the culture of this country,” said Mr. Lubinets.
