OTTAWA -
Worldwide Improvement Minister Harjit Sajjan says he informed Canadian officers in Ukraine and neighbouring nations to make sure that girls sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the assistance they want -- together with entry to abortions if they want.
He mentioned pregnant sexual assault victims who've fled Ukraine, the place abortion is authorized, to Poland, which final yr outlawed abortion generally, may very well be helped to journey to elsewhere in Europe.
"We're very conscious of a number of the legal guidelines in different European nations, particularly Poland, so proper now the division is working by means of our companions and determining how we will help these girls," Sajjan mentioned in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"We are going to guarantee that, if we've to, we'll even get them to a different nation the place they'll really get the help."
Sajjan mentioned Canada would respect the legal guidelines of different nations however famous "our individuals on the bottom" are discovering methods to "respectfully give the help for the ladies."
Sajjan mentioned Ukrainian girls may doubtlessly even come to Canada to obtain care and be fast-tracked by means of the immigration system if crucial.
He mentioned Canadian officers have been working with native organizations which have networks to help girls 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 girls and ladies, as a part of broader measures supposed to deal with gender-based violence attributable to the continued conflict.
Sajjan mentioned the war-torn nation requested the kits. They're used to conduct forensic medical examinations of sexual assault victims and acquire 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 conflict 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 Court docket to assist it examine sexual violence towards girls, 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 sure 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 conflict criminals.
Yulia Kovaliv, Ukraine's ambassador designate to Canada, additionally warned members of Parliament earlier this month that Russia is utilizing sexual violence towards girls and youngsters as a weapon of conflict.
A panel of 35 students with experience in worldwide legislation, genocide and jap 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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Could, 29 2022.
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