The Estonian head of state explained that international organisations had gathered indisputable evidence of children being taken from Ukraine to Russia. He referred to the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe designating Russia’s actions in kidnapping these children as genocide. “We must do everything we can to ensure that Ukrainian children forcibly removed from their homes have the chance to safely return to their country and that those responsible for deporting them are brought to justice,” he urged.
President Karis stressed the need to push for Russia to accept responsibility for its war crimes, highlighting the key role played by the Council of Europe in this regard. “Establishing the Register of Damage is the first step in that direction, and it must not be our last,” he said. “We must follow it up by creating a compensation mechanism for the victims of Russia’s aggression and setting up a special international court with the broad-ranging involvement of UN Member States.”
President Karis added Estonia’s name to the Council of Europe declaration supporting the agreement to establish a register of the war damage inflicted upon Ukraine by Russia. More than 40 countries have already signed up to the register, including the United States and the European Union.
Prior to the summit in the Icelandic capital, the heads of state and government of the member countries of the Council of Europe last met in Warsaw in 2005. Invited to attend this year’s event alongside them were representatives of the European Union, the United Nations and the OSCE as well as observers from Canada, the Holy See, Japan, Mexico and the United States.
The Council of Europe is an international organisation which aims to promote democracy and defend the principles of human rights and the rule of law in Europe. It has 46 member states. Iceland held the presidency of the Committee of Members of the council until the end of the summit, when it was officially handed over to Latvia.
Gallery: https://president.ee/et/meediakajastus/fotod/1082-euroopa-noukogu-4-tippkohtumine-reykjavikis
