On human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular Africans, for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine
B-10-2026-0170
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Abir AlSahlani, , Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Bernard Guetta, Karin Karlsbro, Michał Kobosko, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Anna Stürgkh, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Helmut Brandstätter, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Urmas Paet, Eugen Tomac, Olivier Chastel, Svenja Hahn, Benoit Cassart, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová
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This resolution condemns Russia's recruitment and trafficking of foreign nationals, especially Africans, for its war in Ukraine, calling it grave human rights violations and forced labour.¶¶ It demands Russia cease recruitment, release coerced individuals, and ensure safe repatriation, while urging governments to dismantle networks and social media to counter deceptive campaigns.¶¶¶ It calls for EU diplomatic action, cooperation with partners, evidence documentation, and targeted sanctions against those involved.¶¶¶
Key points
- Condemns the recruitment, trafficking and coercion of foreign nationals into Russia's military service or war-related labour.¶
- Stresses that these practices constitute grave human rights violations, human trafficking, forced labour, and forced participation in hostilities.¶
- Holds Russian authorities responsible for creating and enabling these schemes through state-linked companies, intermediaries, and military structures.¶
- Expresses deep concern over deaths, disappearances, trauma, and denial of information or legal remedies to families.¶
- Demands Russia immediately cease foreign recruitment, release coerced individuals, and ensure safe repatriation.¶
- Condemns governments that facilitate or fail to prevent their citizens' participation in Russia's aggression.¶
- Urges concerned governments to dismantle recruitment networks and warn citizens of risks of travelling to Russia.¶
- Calls on social media platforms to proactively counter deceptive recruitment campaigns.¶
- Urges the EU and its Member States to raise the issue in diplomatic forums and support affected countries.¶
- Calls for enhanced cooperation with partners, regional organisations, and civil society to prevent recruitment and assist victims.¶
- Encourages documentation and preservation of evidence for future accountability for war crimes and human rights violations.¶
- Calls for targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities involved in exploitation of foreign nationals.¶
Who is affected
- Non-Russian nationals, particularly Africans, recruited for Russia's war effort.¶¶
- African women subjected to exploitative labour in Russia's military manufacturing facilities.¶
- Governments of countries whose citizens are recruited.¶¶
- Social media platforms hosting deceptive recruitment campaigns.¶
- Individuals and entities involved in exploitation of foreign nationals for Russia's war effort.¶