First reading of the draft statement of the Riigikogu "On the Return to Ukraine of Children Deported by Russia" (375 AE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-02-20 12:03
Total Speeches: 41
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 17m
AI Summaries: 41/41 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated and adopted the draft Riigikogu Statement 375 AE, initiated by 97 members of parliament, concerning "The Return of Children Deported by Russia to Ukraine." Rapporteur Liisa-Ly Pakosta, in her emotional and fact-filled speech, stressed that the deportation of children is a heinous war crime, involving the erasure of their identity, brainwashing, and adoption into Russian families. She pointed out that, according to Russia's own figures, over 740,000 children have been taken from occupied territories, yet only 388 have been successfully brought back. This was followed by strong addresses from faction representatives, who condemned Russia's actions as genocide, drawing parallels with historical deportations and crimes against humanity. The debate stressed the necessity of increasing military aid to Ukraine and maintaining international pressure to ensure that war criminals are held accountable. Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, representing the Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed the leading committee's consensus support for the bill. The statement was adopted unanimously in the final vote.
Decisions Made 1
Draft Bill 375 of the Riigikogu Statement, titled "On the Return to Ukraine of Children Deported by Russia," was adopted as a statement with 79 votes in favor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is set to begin the first reading of Bill 375, which concerns the repatriation of children deported by Russia back to Ukraine. Liisa-Ly Pakosta will serve as the rapporteur for the bill.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
In summary, Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasizes the cross-party statement regarding the condemnation of the deportation of Ukrainian children, their safe return home, and holding the perpetrators accountable under international legal norms.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that one question could be posed to each presenter, and that representatives of the factions and committees could participate in the discussions, and the questions were then directed to Züleyxa Izmailova.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker, Züleyxa Izmailova, emphasizes the heartbreaking topic and asks exactly how the investigation into the deported Ukrainian children is proceeding and how effective it is.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The inaugural visit of the EU Affairs Committee to Ukraine highlighted the complexity of investigating the deportation of children and ensuring their return, primarily because Russia conceals evidence and subjects the children to brainwashing. While Estonia collaborates with Europol and the ICC and employs the best investigative methods, international cooperation remains paramount, making our appeal for the involvement of other nations in this specific context absolutely vital.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Uibo is invited to speak.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo said that it is sad that we have to talk about such topics in the modern age, and many people are asking what actual impact the signing of the statement and its adoption by the Riigikogu actually has.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta stresses that the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) has adopted several statements concerning Ukraine. She also recalls a small act of aid witnessed during a train journey as a sign of solidarity, highlights the importance of the issue of Ukrainian children within PACE, and emphasizes the necessity of convincing other parliaments and engaging in close European and international cooperation, arguing that Estonia’s border with Russia provides us with a better understanding, allowing our message to resonate more broadly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Andre Hanimägi.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi recalled moments spent with his child, stating that they illustrate what is truly important. He then asked how cooperation between Ukraine and Estonia could be further improved to help in the areas of children’s welfare and mental health, beyond the military aid currently being provided, and what steps could be taken for children residing in both Ukraine and Estonia.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta stresses that we must step up our help to Ukraine and Ukrainian children every day, offering post-traumatic psychological support, fostering international cooperation, and facilitating the finding and return of children. She also notes, however, that Ukraine needs ammunition and weapons, which is the best possible way to help the children.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the beginning of the address, Õnne Pillak is invited to speak.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak confirmed the unanimous support for the declaration in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament). She then asked what the best resources or tools are for the NGOs assisting in bringing Ukrainian children back home, specifically mentioning the option of gathering information from children already recovered from Russia, and inquiring how the Estonian state could best assist these NGOs and the practical steps required to do so.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta stated that Estonia participates in all pan-European legal initiatives and cooperates with the International Criminal Court, Europol, and prosecutor's offices. She stressed that achieving victory for Ukraine requires both investigative and security cooperation, as well as financial and humanitarian aid. Furthermore, she called on members of the Riigikogu to use every opportunity to provide explanations regarding Ukraine to representatives of foreign countries in order to overcome misunderstandings in the West.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a request to invite Peeter Tali to speak.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali noted that Russia has suffered enormous losses in Ukraine—400,000 soldiers—which might be a perverse plan to replenish its human resources. He then asked whether such a war crime is unique in the world in the 21st century or if only Russia commits it, and whether there is any possibility at all of getting those children back from Russia.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta notes that the kidnapping of a child, assimilation into another culture or nation, and the erasure of identity is one of the most heinous ways to subjugate another people, and it resembles war crimes committed in Rwanda. And although there are many nuances, historical and contemporary experience has shown that the repatriation of deported children and their return to their roots are extremely difficult.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, states that there are no questions, and then Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, delivers a report on behalf of the board.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the draft resolution concerning the return of children deported by Russia to Ukraine on February 12. It decided to include the resolution on the plenary session's agenda and hold the final vote on February 20, appointing Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski as the lead representative.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
My sincere thanks for the presentation; there are no questions, so I open the debate, and Urmas Reinsalu, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, requests an additional three minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that Russia's war in Ukraine is genocide and that Russia must be internationally recognized as a terrorist state. Estonia must take a clear position regarding the Russian presidential elections, and Western countries must increase the military aid provided to Ukraine and prevent elections organized in the occupied territories.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offers his thanks and, on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, invites Kalev Stoicescu to the Riigikogu rostrum. Kalev Stoicescu subsequently requests three minutes of additional time.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu clearly condemns Putin’s Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, specifically focusing on the forced deportation of children. He emphasizes the right of children abducted from Ukraine to eventually return home and demands accountability from Russia and the execution of the ICC arrest warrant.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Reform Party faction, colleague Eerik-Niiles Kross was invited to the Riigikogu rostrum, and three additional minutes were requested.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation focuses on international law concerning genocide and Russia's actions in deporting children from Ukraine, placing them in filtration camps, and appropriating their identity and culture for Russia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi notes that the time limit is about to expire, and if no one objects, he will grant another minute, but if anyone argues against it, then...
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She asks you to take one minute.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests a one-minute break.
Eerik-Niiles Kross
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Russian state is using children abducted from Ukraine as a propaganda tool, showcasing them on television and at public rallies, and holding them as hostages. Kross compares this situation to the deportation of Ants Laaneots and expresses hope that the children deported from Ukraine will become Estonians just as quickly as Ants became an Estonian.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She thanks the waiter/waitress, apologizes for running over the allotted time, and Tanel Kiik will speak on behalf of the faction. The authorization is confirmed.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks for three minutes of extra time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests an additional three minutes.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik emphasizes that discussing the declaration of support for Ukraine on the International Day of Social Justice is symbolic, recalling the start of the war and stressing that Russia will not stop on its own, but must be halted by Ukraine’s complete victory.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks the previous speaker and, on behalf of the parliamentary group, asks that the floor of the Riigikogu be given to our good colleague, Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets emphasized that the repatriation of Ukrainian children is a special operation for every single child, requiring the involvement of at least three countries and international pressure, and that the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and parliamentary diplomacy should act more actively and explain the historical pattern of the Russian Empire and genocide.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He is asking for three more minutes.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets spoke about the tragedy of the Ingrian genocide and the deportation of Ukrainian children, referred to OSCE reporting and re-education efforts, stressed that international law applies to everyone and must not depend on the aggressor, and called upon the conscience of the world's nations, including regarding China, recalling Estonia's experience.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks [the assembly] and, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, invites his good colleague Andrei Korobeinik to the Riigikogu rostrum, and requests three additional minutes.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation stressed that the deportation of Ukrainian children from Russia and Belarus is a war crime that must be jointly condemned, and that steps must be taken to ensure their safe return and the provision of psychological aid. Furthermore, the statement issued by the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) represents a small but crucial step toward consolidating allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked all the negotiators and presenters, announced that no amendments had been submitted, and put to the final vote Draft Act 375 of the Riigikogu statement, "On the Return of Children Deported by Russia to Ukraine," which had been submitted by 79 members of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the Riigikogu adopted the draft statement "On the Return to Ukraine of Children Deported by Russia" by a vote of 79 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions.