UN, OSCE, EU urged to amplify Ukraine's call

The return of children illegally deported or forcibly displaced by the Russian Federation is an unconditional priority for the diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian efforts of Ukraine and its international partners, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

This is stated in a statement by the Council for Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Diversity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a joint meeting with Bring Kids Back UA, published on the website of the Office of the President.

"We, the participants of the meeting of the Council on Human Rights, Gender Equality and Diversity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine – representatives of state authorities, international organisations, the diplomatic corps, civil society, and the expert community – declare: the return of children illegally deported or forcibly transferred by the Russian Federation is an unequivocal priority of Ukraine’s diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian efforts, as well as those of its international partners. This is critical to the promotion and protection of children’s rights, as well as a matter of dignity, justice and the nation’s future," the document states.

The applicants also call on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to ensure the immediate return of Ukrainian children. At the same time, it is emphasized that the best interests of the child are the primary priority in all efforts, and gender sensitivity and consideration of the specific needs of children of different ages and experiences must be integrated into all rehabilitation and reintegration policies and measures.

The signatories stated “the importance of information and public advocacy, supporting campaigns to counter Russian disinformation around the world, in particular countering attempts to justify the abduction of Ukrainian children.” They also called on international partners to continue to publicly highlight this issue at key international forums (the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, etc.).

"We are united in our conviction that the protection of the rights of Ukrainian children must remain high on the international agenda until all Ukrainian citizens are fully released from the control of the aggressor state, safely returned home and all rights guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are fully upheld," the document states.

As reported, as of the end of May, 1,324 Ukrainian children who had been deported or forcibly displaced to the aggressor country were returned from Russia and the temporarily occupied territories.