DISINFO: Ukraine is preparing a law for the mass abduction of Russian citizens
SUMMARY
The adoption of a law [on the prisoners of war and internees] can violate the rights of Russian citizens and the entire Russian-speaking population of Ukraine. Under the guise of bringing the legislation in line with international norms, Kyiv is preparing to deport the residents of the South-East to special camps and forcefully return Donbas.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Ukraine and related to the war in Donbas.
The Ukrainian parliament is not preparing a bill that will allow the mass abduction of Russian citizens or their internment. The law, on the contrary, must define who can be subjected to internment, what are these people's rights and define the rights and obligations of state institutions.
The draft law proposes to clearly define "prisoners of war" and "internees". Internees could be citizens of a state that threatens to attack or carry out aggression against Ukraine, who are located on the territory of Ukraine, and whose internment is necessary to ensure the national security of Ukraine. Therefore, only the people who pose a threat are subject to internment. The concept of a "prisoner of war" is defined in accordance with Article 4 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 August 1949.
See similar disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is preparing a plan for the deportation of Donbas residents, that residents of Donbas will be forcibly relocated to Lviv for re-education, or that Ukraine's government planned to build concentration camps for Donbas residents.