Ombudsman calls on UN members to facilitate return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

He announced this during an interactive dialogue with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, as reported by Ukrinform with reference to Lubinets' Telegram channel.

According to the ombudsman, “Ukraine expresses gratitude for the attention to the tragedy that continues to unfold before the eyes of the entire world: the destruction of the childhood of Ukrainian children as a result of Russia’s aggression.”

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“I call on the international community not to stand aside on this matter. Therefore, I appeal to UN member states to make every effort to prevent crimes against Ukrainian children, to search for, identify and return those deported, and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the ombudsman emphasized.

As Lubinets reported, Gamba emphasized the need for the international community to force Russia to sign an action plan with the UN as a party blacklisted for crimes against children.

“This is not just a bureaucratic procedure. This is an opportunity to save thousands of young Ukrainians who were kidnapped, tortured, used in propaganda and forced to forget their identity. By joining forces, we can protect children,” Lubinets said.

The Commissioner added that Ukraine is grateful to its partners for their support, but the world must act more quickly, as every day lost is another life taken.

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As reported by Ukrinform, within the framework of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA, four more Ukrainian children who were subjected to pressure, intimidation and forced Russification in the temporarily occupied territories were returned to the government-controlled territory.