WFUWO Condemns Russia’s Crimes Against Ukrainian Children at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

«The World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations thanks the High Commissioner for the report.

Two decades ago, the UN Security Council identified six grave violations against children during times of war: the killing and maiming of children; the recruitment and use of children in the armed forces; attacks on schools and hospitals; rape or other sexual violence; child abduction; denial of humanitarian aid. Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council agreed that, indeed, these are horrific violations against the well-being of any child. But now, on an almost daily basis, Russia commits all six of these violations in Ukraine and against the Ukrainian children that were abducted and transported to Russia. Russia continues to try to convince the world with shameless lies that these children were not abducted but rescued. Yet when parents, families, governments try to get information about these children, no data from Russia is forthcoming.

The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab recently releases a report that Russia operates a program that involves the forced transfer, re-education, and militarization of Ukrainian children, and identified at least 210 facilities holding these children. The report concludes that this system of re-education is intended to erase Ukrainian identity and “russify” tens of thousands of children.

The crime of child abduction and forced russification must end. Those responsible for stealing the bodies and souls of Ukraine’s children must be held accountable and all Ukrainian children must be brought home.

Thank you.»