The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy Pavlo Sushko took part in a meeting of the working group, which met on behalf of the Vice Prime Minister – the Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk to develop solutions to the problems of Ukrainian children abroad who are being taken away from their parents or legal representatives.
The MP informed that in July 2022, following the work of the Coordination Headquarters for the Protection of Children’s Rights chaired by Daria Gerasymchuk, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 794 “Some issues of returning children temporarily displaced (evacuated) outside Ukraine”.
The document defines a certain mechanism for the return of children in the event that administrative or judicial authorities of the state of temporary residence of children make decisions that lead to the inability of legal representatives authorised by the competent authorities of Ukraine to exercise their powers.
“Now the question has arisen about children who may be removed from their parents by child protection authorities of the host countries on various grounds. Parents do not always know what to do in such cases. That is why I drew the attention of the responsible persons to the provisions of the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children. In my opinion, the Convention can become an effective tool in protecting the rights of children and parents.
Currently, the National Social Service of Ukraine is responsible for the implementation of this Convention, which collects information on such cases and takes action to protect the rights of children and their parents.
He proposed to consider the possibility of using the mechanisms laid down in the Convention as one of the algorithms for protecting the rights of children – citizens of Ukraine abroad.
Important. I appeal to parents and legal representatives! If you are faced with such a situation abroad and your child has been removed from you on various grounds, there is a threat of removal, do not be silent. Contact consular offices and the National Social Service with written appeals. Describe the facts. Attach documents. Provide your contact details. This is very important. Only in this case will the relevant authorities be able to respond properly and protect your rights and the rights of children,” wrote Pavlo Sushko.