Ukrainian sexual assault victims need reproductive health care, Sajjan says – National
Worldwide Growth Minister Harjit Sajjan says he informed Canadian officers in Ukraine and neighbouring nations to make sure that ladies sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the assistance they want _ together with entry to abortions if they need.
He mentioned pregnant sexual assault victims who’ve fled Ukraine, the place abortion is authorized, to Poland, which final 12 months outlawed abortion generally, may very well be helped to journey to elsewhere in Europe.
“We’re very aware of a number of the legal guidelines in different European nations, particularly Poland, so proper now the division is working by way of our companions and determining how we are able to help these ladies,” Sajjan mentioned in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“We are going to make it possible for, if we now have to, we are going to even get them to a different nation the place they’ll truly get the help.”
Sajjan mentioned Canada would respect the legal guidelines of different nations however famous “our folks on the bottom” are discovering methods to “respectfully give the help for the ladies.”
Sajjan mentioned Ukrainian ladies may doubtlessly even come to Canada to obtain care and be fast-tracked by way of the immigration system if mandatory.
He mentioned Canadian officers have been working with native organizations which have networks to help ladies who could have been victims of sexual violence.
In the meantime, Canada has despatched rape kits to Ukraine to assist police compile proof towards Russian troops alleged to have sexually assaulted ladies and ladies, as a part of broader measures meant to handle gender-based violence brought on by the continuing struggle.
Sajjan mentioned the war-torn nation requested the kits. They’re used to conduct forensic medical examinations of sexual assault victims and gather proof that assist construct a case towards suspected perpetrators.
Overseas Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has additionally confirmed that 10 RCMP officers serving to to compile proof of struggle crimes by Russian troops will examine sexual violence towards Ukrainians.
Canada introduced final week it’s committing an additional $1 million to assist the worldwide neighborhood examine alleged intercourse crimes by Russian troops in Ukraine.
Joly mentioned Canada would give the additional funds to the Worldwide Felony Courtroom to assist it examine sexual violence towards ladies, in addition to alleged crimes towards kids.
Adrien Blanchard, a spokesman for Joly, mentioned Canada was additionally supporting investigations by the United Nations Human Rights Council into sexual violence in Ukraine.
“We should be certain that the perpetrators of those heinous crimes are held to account,” he mentioned.
At a gathering in Ottawa earlier this month with Swedish Overseas Affairs Minister Ann Linde, Joly mentioned the necessity to deal with Russian troops perpetrating sexual violence as struggle criminals.
Yulia Kovaliv, Ukraine’s ambassador designate to Canada, additionally warned members of Parliament earlier this month that Russia is utilizing sexual violence towards ladies and youngsters as a weapon of struggle.
A panel of 35 students with experience in worldwide regulation, genocide and japanese Europe, chaired by former legal professional normal Irwin Cotler, has concluded that Russia has engaged in incitement to genocide.
Its authorized evaluation, printed by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, concluded Russia has breached the 1948 Genocide Conference on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to which it’s a celebration together with 151 different nations.
Cotler mentioned nations which have signed the conference have a duty to stop such crimes and maintain Russia accountable for its actions.
