Qatar mediates release of kidnapped Ukrainian children from Russia amidst conflict and UN condemnation

Qatar is facilitating talks between Russia and Ukraine with a view to securing the release of Ukrainian children who have been abducted and taken against their will to Russian territory during the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, handed over a list containing 561 names of such kidnapped kids to Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah al Khater this week. According to reports, there could be more than 3,600 children who have become orphans as a result of the war and are being held in Russia without their parents’ consent.
In addition to Lubinets’ list containing 561 names, he suggested that upwards of 20,000 Ukrainian kids may be currently residing against their will in Russian territory due to abduction or forced deportation during the conflict. Qatar has reportedly agreed to take care of these children’s needs as part of an arrangement between Ukraine and Russia mediated by Doha officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Wednesday that 16 Ukrainian kids who had been forcibly transferred from their homeland, as well as accompanying family members were recovering in Qatar because to humanitarian treatment intended to alleviate physical and mental discomfort resulting from abduction. These children are being cared for by the Qatari authorities following mediation efforts undertaken by Doha officials that resulted in their release from Russian custody, according to Zelensky’s statement.
The United Nations Committee on Children’s Rights has previously condemned Russia over its deportation of Ukrainian kids and declared it a violation of children’s rights under the convention. In February 2014, Bragi Gudbrandsson – the Vice-Chairperson for CRC said: “It is our conclusion that there is evidence indicating forceful transferring [of]children from Ukraine to Russia”. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, who serves as the commissioner for children’s rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. Both are accused by ICC officials of being responsible for these child deportations during which they have undergone political reeducation training against their will.