Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador
The regime of Lukashenko places significant emphasis on the ideological indoctrination of children, both in Belarus and Ukraine.
Since the initiation of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the NAM team has been diligently gathering evidence indicating that Lukashenko and his accomplices have committed a war crime by illegally transporting Ukrainian children, including orphans, from Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia to Belarus
The NAM team has already obtained personal information regarding dozens of Ukrainian children who were unlawfully taken from Ukrainian territory. According to our data, over 3,000 Ukrainian children were taken from more than 20 occupied cities and towns in Ukraine and transported to Belarus.
During the illegal transportation and residence of Ukrainian children in Belarus, the Lukashenko regime implemented a re-education program disguised as a so-called "rehabilitation program" at the Dubrava camp. This program involved interactions with representatives from the self-proclaimed "Union State," the Lukashenko regime, the Russian Orthodox Church, the "Night Valkyries" and "Night Wolves" motorcycle clubs, as well as members of the Belarusian National Youth Union and propagandists.
Furthermore, based on photographs published by Lukashenko's propagandists, it is evident that the children are being taught basic weapon handling skills.
The evidence collected indicates that the children were subjected to a program of activities that included elements of political re-education, particularly anti-Ukrainian, pro-Lukashenko, and pro-Kremlin ideologies.
It is crucial that during the discussion on the report concerning the situation in Belarus by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the representative of Ukraine emphasized that "the deportation of children to Belarus constitutes a war crime." This discussion took place in Geneva a few days ago as part of a session of the UN Human Rights Council.
NAM acknowledges the significance of the official positions expressed by Ukraine, other countries, and international organizations regarding the issue of the illegal transportation of Ukrainian children, as well as their indoctrination and re-education within the territory of Belarus.
We will continue our efforts to collect evidence and subsequently submit it to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor and the Ukrainian authorities in order to hold Lukashenko accountable for the war crime he has committed.