In Parliament, local MP Robert Largan questioned the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace over Russia breaking international law by forcing evacuations from separatist-held areas of Ukraine. 

In his question, Robert cited Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”.

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, asked: 

“Given reports of thousands of civilians being taken from their homes and being taken to Russia as part of forced evacuations, a clear breach of article 49 of the Geneva Convention. Can I ask the Secretary of State what discussion he and colleagues across Government have had about any future role courts, including the international criminal courts, will play in that role? It is vital that perpetrators know that their actions will be held to account in the future.”

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said: 

“I think fundamentally this is about international law, whether Russia respects international law and the previous commitments it has made to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine. If it fails to respect international law, the international community will see if for what it is.”

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented: 

“I am deeply concerned about reports of Ukrainian civilians being removed from their homes and taken to Russia, as part of a forced "evacuation". That’s why I backed efforts to support the sovereignty of Ukraine in Parliament.

“Under Putin, Russia has disregarded international conventions. It's increasingly clear we're dealing with a regime of thugs, leading a rogue state. The international community must stand together.”