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While living under Russian control, children have faced physical and psychological constraints. This includes “Russification” through forced assimilation, changes to their citizenship and names, and being banned from speaking Ukrainian. Some are sent to cadet schools and exposed to military propaganda, while others have been subjected to military training and forced conscription for Russian military service. In addition to being exposed to sexual violence, girls describe being denied access to contraception and abortion care.
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Canada must expose the cynicism of Russia’s territorial claims [against Ukraine] by exposing the treatment of abducted children as well as the situation facing residents in occupied territories. As co-chairs of an international coalition, Canada and Ukraine have been rallying support globally to help return and reintegrate these children to their families. This coalition now includes the U.S. government, which has called on Russia to return these children and, to that end, in December passed a bipartisan law in Congress — signed by President Donald Trump.
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Beyond diplomacy, Canada must continue to wield its sanctions laws. Multiple countries have used sanctions to hamper Russia’s ability to fund the war. The government should work with the U.S., U.K. and EU to apply further sanctions as Ukrainian authorities continue to identify those responsible — including officials in the Russian welfare, justice and security sectors — for the forcible transfer and deportation of children.
Amidst multiple international crises and with future rounds of peace talks pending, it is imperative that Canada keeps the world’s focus on the immediate and unconditional safe return of abducted children, as well as galvanize international partners and push for a just peace that does not include Ukraine giving up its eastern regions. Russia has violated all international rules on the treatment of children and the wider populations it occupies. Ukraine ceding more territory would only legitimize these crimes and encourage more in the future.
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