Panetta, Bacon Condemn Ukrainian Children Kidnapping by Russia

Washington, D.C. – Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced a House concurrent resolution Condemning the Russian Federation's Kidnapping of Ukrainian Children, along with cosponsors Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Doug Lamalfa (R-CA-01), Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), Joe Morelle (D-NT-25), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) , to bring attention to the alarming acts taken against the children of Ukraine.

Between February 24, 2022, and March 22, 2023, 16,226 children in Ukraine have been taken from their families by the Russian Federation through forced transfers and deportations. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council determined that the Russian actions are a violation of human rights and on March 17, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for these kidnappings.

When the Russians take these children, they are sent to "reeducation camps" where they wait until a foster Russian family is found. Some are told their parents are dead or that they are no longer needed or wanted by their families.

"The abductions of Ukrainian children by Russia are illegal and absolutely inhumane," said Rep. Panetta. "Our bipartisan resolution not only condemns the illicit transfer of these children by the Russian government, it also calls for the return of all Ukrainian children to their home country. This resolution is another way that the United States Congress is taking a stand against Russia and its illegal forced deportations, and it's a strong symbol of the enduring support by the United States for the Ukrainian government, families, and children."

"There are no two ways about this, the Russian Federation is abducting children and trafficking them to other families in Russia," said Rep. Bacon. "We cannot sit by as Vladimir Putin acts like a ruthless dictator and steals children to try and build up Mother Russia. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and siblings in Ukraine are crying out for their family members and I cannot imagine the devastation they are feeling as they have no idea where the children are."

The resolution strongly condemns this practice by the Russian Federation. It was employed by ruthless dictators like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Augusto Pinochet, and other sadistic tyrants. Children everywhere should be protected from the cruelty of being ripped from their families and trafficked to another nation to be "reeducated" and placed with a foreign family under the guise of the child not having a family.

It also rebukes nations who provide aid and support to the Russian Federation's kidnapping enterprise, condemns the forced adoption of Ukrainian children, and implores the Russian Federation to work with international human rights and children welfare organizations to ensure the return of Ukrainian children to their home country and their families.

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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