The Statement of the Riigikogu “On Returning to Ukraine the Children Deported by Russia” (375 AE), submitted by 79 members of the Riigikogu, condemns the deliberate and systematic deportation of children from Ukraine by Russia and Belarus in violation of international law, and demands the release of the children and the ensuring of their safe return to Ukraine.

The Statement points out that the deliberate and systematic deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia and Belarus is a war crime and genocide under international law. The Members of the Riigikogu say that the aim of Russia and Belarus is to destroy the Ukrainian nation and identity by killing, wounding, traumatising, and relocating Ukrainian children. During the war of aggression started by the Russian Federation in 2014, hundreds of thousands of children have been taken from the territories of Ukraine to Russia.

“The Riigikogu strongly condemns the deliberate and systematic deportation of children from Ukraine by Russia and Belarus in violation of international law, as well as Russia’s decision to grant citizenship to Ukrainian children under a simplified procedure, with the aim of forcibly changing their identity and assimilating them into Russia’s society,” the Statement says.

According to the Statement, the Riigikogu demands that Russia and Belarus release the children deported from Ukraine and ensure their safe return to Ukraine, and calls on all states to assist in the return to Ukraine of the children deported to Russia and Belarus and to cooperate in this effort.

Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Kalev Stoicescu from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Erik-Niiles Kross from the Estonian Reform Party Group, Tanel Kiik on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Andrei Korobeinik from the Centre Party Group took part in the debate.

79 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Statement.

A Bill passed the second reading

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Imprisonment Act and Other Acts (updating of the Imprisonment Act and the deployment of digital solutions) (227 SE), initiated by the Government, is to facilitate a transition to digital document management in prisons and to broaden prisoners’ opportunities to use technology.

According to the Bill, it will be possible for prisoners to use the Internet more, but still in a controlled environment and on a limited number of sites. The purpose of the amendment is to enable prisoners for example to access the digital files on them, to examine laws, to file appeals to administrative authorities, and to continue their education.

In open prison and during prison leave, in the future, prisoners will be allowed to use a mobile phone through which the prison can contact the prisoner, as necessary. According to the Bill, prisoners will also be allowed short-term visits more easily, and through a video bridge as well.

The Bill will also reduce the maximum length of commission to a punishment cell in order to bring the provisions into conformity with international recommendations. According to the Bill, a reasonable period of time which must not be shorter than two twenty-four-hour periods will have to be allowed between two commissions to a punishment cell.

In order to resolve the problems that have arisen in practice, it will be provided that the claims subject to collection will be withheld on account of the money transferred to the account of the person held in custody, and the document on ascertaining a state of intoxication of a probationer will be made directly enforceable in order to reduce unnecessary workload. In addition, an attempt to unlawfully deliver a substance or object in a custodial institution will be made punishable.

During the second reading, technical specifications made on the proposal of the Legal Affairs Committee were incorporated.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]