Accor investigates hotels after allegations of sexual exploitation of Ukrainian children

French hotel group Accor has said it is conducting a detailed internal investigation following allegations by investment firm Grizzly Research that its hotels may have been linked to human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia for illegal adoption.

Source: Financial Times; Reuters

Details: US-based investment firm Grizzly Research posted a report claiming that over 20 Accor hotels had agreed to accommodate Ukrainian children who had been illegally deported to Russia. Several hotels in Russia reportedly assured investigators they would not share this confidential information with Accor's headquarters in France.

Since early February, researchers have sent booking requests to over 200 Accor hotels. The report states that hotels in 20 countries agreed to accept bookings despite requests containing clear references to the potential abuse and sexual exploitation of children. Around 40 hotels confirmed reservations without raising concerns, even when additional room service requests included champagne, condoms and lubricants.

Accor said it regularly trains staff to identify signs of human trafficking and conducts ongoing internal audits.

"Accor firmly denies involvement in the alleged systemic exploitation of human or child trafficking," the company said.

The company added that it has launched a detailed internal investigation and hired an external firm to examine the allegations.

Accor said it will release the findings of the investigation and added that it "reserves the right to prosecute parties involved in such practices" if any of the claims are confirmed.

Background:

• Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022, Accor suspended opening new hotels in Russia. However, the company did not fully exit the market and continued operating more than 50 properties, including brands such as Novotel and Ibis, citing the need to "support employees".
• Russia has deported around 20,000 Ukrainian children to its territory and to Belarus. The United Nations considers these actions a war crime and a crime against humanity.
• In March 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. They are accused of the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories.

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