The Ombudsman of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that seven Ukrainian children and their families were returned home from Russian-occupied territories in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, approximately 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted, with less than 400 of them being returned home. Families who experienced the horrors of occupation decided to flee from the territories, fearing potential future mobilization of their boys into the Russian army. These families will receive medical, humanitarian, and psychological assistance, as well as help with document restoration, job searching, and enrolling their children in educational institutions.
Lubinets also mentioned that an international coalition involving 33 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Poland, is working to return Ukrainian children from Russian captivity. This coalition was established by Ukraine and Canada on February 2. On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children. They stated that Putin is allegedly responsible for the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia. These arrests warrants are issued to the 123 member states of the ICC, requiring them to arrest Putin if he sets foot on their territory. The ICC’s decision marks a historic ruling in holding top leaders accountable for human rights violations.
The families returning from the occupied territories were forced to endure difficult conditions, witnessing Russians looting homes, pressuring Ukrainians to take Russian passports, and enforcing Russian educational standards on children. Concerns about future prospects and potential conscription into the Russian army led these families to flee to territories under Ukraine’s control. The ongoing support for these families includes medical, humanitarian, and psychological assistance, along with help in rebuilding their lives, finding employment, and ensuring their children have access to education.
In March, the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Putin and the Russian official overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children, Maria Lvova-Belova, is a critical step in holding accountable those responsible for violating human rights. The global community’s involvement in the international coalition underscores the importance of reuniting abducted children with their families and providing necessary support for their reintegration. The arrest warrants serve as a significant deterrent for individuals and governments engaging in similar actions in the future, emphasizing the consequences of such violations on a global scale. International efforts are essential in promoting accountability, justice, and the protection of children’s rights in conflict-affected regions like Ukraine.
