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UN Panel Questions Russia On Fate Of Ukrainian Children
On Monday, Moscow will face scrutiny at the United Nations as the Committee on the Rights of the Child, consisting of 18 independent experts, investigates the fate of thousands of Ukrainian children allegedly sent to Russia since the 2022 invasion.
The committee, in a regular review, aims to gain insights into Moscow’s actions and concerns outlined in a list sent in the first half of 2023.
Among the inquiries, the committee seeks clarification on the number of children evacuated to Russia or Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.
Additionally, they demand information on Moscow’s efforts to safeguard the identity of these children, including nationality, name, and family relations.
Kyiv estimates that around 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia, with Moscow justifying its actions as a means to protect them from the conflict. However, only a fraction—approximately 400 children—have been repatriated.
In response, Russia emphasized that placements for evacuated children are arranged with their consent, including those from national residential institutions for orphans and children without parental care.
Legal expert Kateryna Rashevska from a Ukrainian NGO hopes the committee will advocate for an “international legal mechanism” to identify and return the children promptly, expressing concerns about the current slow repatriation process.
The UN committee’s broader review of Russia includes discussions on obstacles to children’s freedom of association, assembly, and concerns about punitive actions against those participating in demonstrations, particularly related to the war in Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch, in a report to the committee, highlighted issues such as children’s freedom of expression, access to information, and discrimination linked to gender identity and sexual orientation inside Russia.
The committee also aims to address illegal or arbitrary detention of children, corporal punishment, and measures to preserve the cultural and linguistic identity of indigenous children.
Moscow will face inquiries about combating harmful practices in the North Caucasus, such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, abductions for forced marriages, and polygamy.
In the aftermath of the escape from its Suleija facility in Niger State, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed the successful recapture of three escaped inmates.
Despite these efforts, 106 inmates are still on the run.
Abubakar Umar, an Assistant Controller and spokesperson for the NCoS, dismissed rumors circulating online suggesting that 50 inmates had been apprehended, clarifying that only three had been recaptured.
He said “Aside from the 10 earlier recaptured, three more have been recaptured. So, we are on the chase of 106.”
He further dismissed reports from television sources alleging over 8,000 escaping inmates nationwide.
He clarified that following heavy rainfall damaging parts of the Suleija facility, at least 119 inmates had escaped.
During a visit to the facility, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, underscored the urgency of relocating the correctional center from its current urban location.
He noted that the facility, originally designed for 250 inmates, was accommodating 499 individuals prior to the incident.
He said; ”Obviously, it was a force majeure. There was a storm and there was a breach of the outer wall of this facility and some of the inmates escaped.
“Of course, we have been able to retrieve about 10 out of the 119. So we have 109 at large and the manhunt is presently ongoing. We will do everything possible to make sure that everyone is brought back”.
Additionally, the Service (NCoS) announced its intention to publish the identities of the escapees at a later time.
In Lagos State’s Federal High Court, businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, was granted bail of N10 million with two sureties in like sum on Wednesday.
During his trial, he pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering and abusing the naira.
Cubana Chief Priest appeared before Justice Kehinde Ogundare facing three counts related to the alleged abuse of the national currency by spraying and tampering with it at a social event on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, which is contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
At a social gathering, Cubana Chief Priest reportedly engaged in the offenses while dancing, manipulating funds in N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying them continuously for two hours.
Okechukwu Pascal, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday for alleged naira Abuse.
At the Federal High Court in Lagos, he pleaded not guilty to three charges brought against him.
His legal team is currently presenting arguments for his bail application, requesting the court to grant him bail under favorable conditions.
Charge filed against Cubana Chief Priest below
COUNT 1: That you. OKECHUKWU PASCAL on 13th February 2024,at Eko Hotel Victoria island. Lagos, within the juridition of this Honourable Court.
“whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Nara) Issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying it,and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act.2007.
COUNT 2: That you,OKECHUKWU PASCAL sometime in 2020, in Lagos within the juridition of this Honourable Court,during a social event tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours,and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act. 2007.
COUNT 3: That you,OKECHUKWU PASCAL sometime In January 2024,in Lagos.withih the juridition of this Honourable Court,during a social event tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 [Five Hundred Naira issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same,ond rou thereby committed on offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
More to follow……
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