Brands Kehris said her office was “concerned” that the Russian authorities had introduced a “simplified procedure” for granting Russian citizenship to children without parental care — and that those children would be put “up for adoption by Russian families.”
According to Brands Kehris, Russian forces are also responsible for “filtration” of Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories. Among other things, those affected would have to undergo physical searches and, in some cases, completely undress for this purpose. In addition, their mobile devices would be searched.
Ukrainian citizens accused by Russia of being close to the Kiev government or armed forces have been tortured and sent to Russian penal colonies, she added. Her office is particularly concerned about the risk of sexual abuse that girls and women are exposed to during “filtration”.
A US State Department spokesman had previously accused Russia of “filtrations” of Russian-held Ukrainian territories as part of the planned annexation. In particular, these targeted people who could pose a threat to Russian rule. In addition, the US government has information that employees of the Russian Presidential Office are preparing “lists of Ukrainians” who are to be subjected to “filtration”. The Kremlin also receives reports on the extent and progress of these processes.
In July, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Moscow of forcibly relocating up to 1.6 million Ukrainians.
