The implementation of selected forms of support for Ukraine in the area of recovering deported children, including at the level of children’s rights ombudsmen, was stated on Tuesday by European Affairs Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk and Ombudsman for Children’s Rights Mikołaj Pawlak.
Szynkowski vel Sęk and Pawlak announced at a press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday a joint initiative by Poland and the European Commission for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
The Minister of European Affairs stressed that the world has been struggling for more than a year with the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The most tragic human, economic and social consequences of this attack are borne by Ukraine itself and its citizens. Crimes of genocide committed by the Russian side during the hostilities and in the occupied territories have a particularly tragic dimension
– said Szynkowski aka Sęk.
But these crimes committed by the Russian side also have their criminal aspect in the deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russians.
he stressed.
Actions for the recovery of deported children
According to Szynkowski vel Sęk, Ukraine’s latest estimates point to nearly 19,500. identified deported children, of which only about 370 were successfully recovered. He added that the Belarusian side is unfortunately also active in this area.
He noted that the fate of the deported children corresponded in a special way to the Polish historical experience.
This experience formed the basis for the decision of the Polish government, which declared a few months ago that it is more involved in the recovery of deported children
said the minister.
He recalled that this issue has been taken up by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki together with the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as part of the initiative for Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
In recent months, we have focused on developing a comprehensive support offer for Ukraine in the recovery of deported children
– said Szynkowski aka Sęk.
As he added, the offer, which was presented to authorities in Kiev, included digital support in tracking the identification of deported children and entities responsible for their deportation, development of tools for reporting information on deported children, and assistance in collecting DNA and biometric data from deported children.
At the same time, given the continued activity and cooperation of the Polish Ombudsman for Children, Mikołaj Pawlak, with the Ukrainian Ombudsman for Human Rights, we have taken a decision, preceded by consultation, to implement already selected forms of support at the level of ombudsmen
emphasized the minister. He said the spokesman will go to Kiev on Wednesday for an international conference on the subject.
He also stressed that – due to the fact that the recovery of children is a sensitive and lengthy process – Poland and the EC, declaring their full cooperation, recognize Ukraine’s leading role in this matter.
The RPD condemned the violation of children’s rights by the Russians
The Ombudsman for Children, Mikołaj Pawlak, announced that he would participate in the conference “Ukraine: War. An unsung lullaby.” He pointed out that now is the time to develop supporting tools, e.g. Ukrainian children and introduce them to their governments.
He noted that in Poland, among other forms of help, there is a hotline for children, which has helped thousands of children in Ukrainian and Russian since the beginning of the war. He stressed that they called to talk about their fear of war, but also about their longing for their country. He emphasized that, if possible, these children should also be helped to return home.
For this to happen, Pawlak noted, basic infrastructure in Ukraine needs to be rebuilt, as Ukrainian children currently in many cases lack homes and schools to return to.
The Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child condemned the violation of children’s rights by the Russians.
Pawlak pointed out that in the current situation it is understandable that the Ukrainian Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child does not leave the country, which is why he is represented by the Polish Ombudsman for Children at some international conferences taking place outside Ukraine.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce