- The Russian authorities are targeting children in their crackdown on anti-war dissent, according to Amnesty International. Children as young as 12 have been interrogated, threatened, and in some cases, detained for expressing opposition to the war in Ukraine. This represents a disturbing escalation of the Kremlin's efforts to stifle any form of dissent, even among the most vulnerable members of society.
- The report from Amnesty International details numerous cases of children being subjected to harassment, intimidation, and even criminal prosecution for their perceived anti-war views. This includes children being questioned by police, having their phones and devices seized, and in some cases, being threatened with criminal charges or even imprisonment. These actions have a profound psychological impact on the children and their families, further exacerbating the trauma of the ongoing conflict.
- The targeting of children is part of a broader crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression in Russia. The authorities have enacted a series of repressive laws that criminalize the dissemination of "fake news" about the war, effectively silencing any criticism or dissent. Amnesty International has called on the Russian government to immediately cease its persecution of children and to respect the fundamental human rights of all its citizens, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.