Outrage over the decision has spread across both sides of the Atlantic since The i Paper revealed last week that the world-leading unit at Yale University which tracks down Ukrainian children abducted by Russia has had its funding cut as part of Elon Musk’s clamp down on government spending.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Vladimir Putin and Russian children’s commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, of the deportation of children, which is a war crime. The Kremlin denies wrongdoing, claiming the adoptions by Russians are to help “abandoned” children.
Campaigners light candles beside teddy bear in Belgium in solidarity with Ukranian children taken to Russia.
A letter from US politicians to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alleges that the database of evidence amassed by the Yale Humanitarian Lab may have been destroyed.
“If true, this would have devastating consequences.”
The letter comes as Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of the Yale Humanitarian Rights Lab (HRL) speaks for the first time since the programme was axed.
Raymond said: “Children abducted in conflict should never be a political football.”
In the letter, the US politicians also raised fears that if the database has been retained but moved, its worth as digital forensic evidence in court may have been compromised.
President Donald Trump is now being criticised by previously supportive Evangelical Christians over the matter.
Galen Carey, vice president of government relations at the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), told The Washington Post: “The abduction of children strikes a nerve that I hope will help awaken more Americans to the horrors of the Russian invasion and occupation of parts of Ukraine.
“I hope, too, that the funding cutoff will be seen as a mistake and quickly corrected,” Carey added.
He said: “We keep this issue absolutely in our sight. It cannot be a negotiating tool in any future discussions that we have with Mr Putin.”
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Leader, joined the calls of condemnation of Musk’s decision to axe the Yale programme.
“By axing funding for work to find these children, Elon Musk is aiding and abetting Putin’s sickening child abductions. Shame on him.
The UK Government may be asked to step in to make up Yale’s funding shortfall, it is understood.
The White House and Yale University did not respond to requests for comment.
“While we are not in a position to comment on the State Department’s decision, we do recognise the importance of HRL’s work and its contributions to international efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including Ukrainian children. Yale remains supportive of its researchers pursuing work that sheds light on urgent global issues.”
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