The human rights commissioner of the Ukrainian parliament, Lyudmyla Denizova, has accused the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of collaborating with Russia in forced deportations from Ukraine. “The International Red Cross is not fulfilling its mandate, I’m sure of it,” Denisova said on Ukrainian television on Wednesday following a meeting with the head of the ICRC’s Ukrainian branch. The ICRC denied Kiev’s allegations.
The basis for Denisova’s allegations is the ICRC’s announcement that it would open a branch in the southern Russian region of Rostov. There, the Red Kreug wants to help Ukrainian refugees who, according to Kiev, were forcibly transported to Russia.
Citing UN data, Denisova said regarding 550,000 Ukrainians, including 121,000 children, were trafficked to Russia during the war. However, your government has no information regarding the identity or whereregardings of its citizens in Russia. When asked by the TV presenter whether Denisova suspected that the Red Cross was “collaborating” with Russia, Denisova replied: “Yes, I suspect that they do.”
The ICRC disagreed: “The ICRC never helps organize or carry out forced evacuations. We would not support any operation that violates the will of the people and international law.” The organization emphasized: “Establishing and maintaining a dialogue with the parties to the conflict is essential to gain access to all affected people and to obtain the necessary security guarantees for our teams so that they can provide life-saving assistance.”
The Red Cross confirmed that it is continuing to study the possibility of an office in southern Russia. “Our only goal is to alleviate the suffering of the people affected by the armed conflict. And the suffering is just immense at the moment. »
