NJ SJR80

New Jersey Legislature condemns Russia's illegal deportation of children from Ukraine since the February 24, 2022 invasion, supporting their immediate return home.

Ukraine reports more than 19,500 children illegally deported, with only approximately 1,900 returned; vulnerable groups including orphans, children with disabilities, and those from low-income or military families are allegedly targeted.

Deported children are reportedly sent to over 210 militarization and "re-education" camps across Russia, Belarus, Russian-occupied Ukraine, and North Korea, where they face propaganda, are forbidden from speaking Ukrainian, and some receive military training.

The International Criminal Court issued 2023 arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportations.

Copies of the resolution will be transmitted to the U.S. President, Congressional leadership, all New Jersey federal representatives, and Ukrainian and U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations and respective countries.