Гаряча лінія
Гаряча лінія
The war in eastern Ukraine continues to take the lives of Ukrainian children.
According to the UNHCR.pdf, in 2021, 12 children were injured in the fighting. Of these: 4 children died and 8 were injured. During the entire period of the conflict, 152 deaths of children were recorded.
The Commissioner reiterates that the situation in the territories covered by hostilities has a negative impact on the rights and interests of Ukrainian children.
Armed conflict, occupation of territories change a child's life and remain a wound for life.
According to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, at the end of 2021, 77,033 children received this status. Of these, the lion's share - 99.8% received this status due to psychological violence (76,937 children).
At the same time, the occupation administrations in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts not controlled by the Government of Ukraine continue to systematically and methodically implement measures to create a distorted worldview and conduct information campaigns that exert psychological pressure on children and youth.
Due to the still unformed consciousness and lack of knowledge, the younger generation is more exposed to unreliable information.
These measures are often aimed at mass militarization of children through brutal manipulation in the form of educational and educational activities.
Thus, at the end of 2021, a conference on patriotic education was held in the temporarily occupied city of Luhansk, as a result of which the government of the so-called "LPR" approved programs of patriotic and spiritual and moral education of children and youth for 2022-2024. Also, representatives of the occupying power of the Russian Federation with representatives of the "Russian House" signed a document "Strategy for the promotion of Russian language and culture among young people in the next two years."
Thus, the occupying authorities of the Russian Federation, with the support of representatives of Russian educational institutions, are developing a system of patriotic training to forcibly impose false patriotism, as well as taking decisive action to promote the ideas of "Russian peace" and turn ORDLO against Ukraine.
The Commissioner once again draws attention to the need to comply with international norms prohibiting the involvement of children in armed conflict.
The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict emphasizes the strengthening of the protection of children from armed conflict and all possible measures to prevent the recruitment and use of children, including legal measures to prohibit and criminalize such conflicts. practices.
In addition, UN Security Council Resolution 2427 (2018) emphasizes that children recruited by the armed forces and armed groups and accused of committing crimes during armed conflict should be treated primarily as victims of violations of international law, and urge Member States to comply with their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Also, Article 30¹ of the Law of Ukraine "On Child Protection" stipulates the obligation of the state to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of children in the zone of hostilities and armed conflicts, children affected by hostilities and armed conflicts. All actions of the state regarding the protection of such children must be carried out in accordance with the norms of international humanitarian law.
The Commissioner condemns any actions aimed at involving children in hostilities and armed groups.