«We need to publicise and strengthen sanctions against russia for crimes against Ukrainian children», Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk met with Baroness Helena Kennedy
22 May 2025, 07:00
This was stated by Olena Kondratiuk, the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, who is visiting Great Britain with the Ukrainian Parliamentary Delegation.
The Deputy Speaker discussed the situation concerning the protection of the rights of forcibly deported Ukrainian children during a meeting at the UK Parliament with Baroness Helena Kennedy. She serves as a Co-Chair of the high-level international expert group within the President of Ukraine’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA.
«I thanked Baroness Helena Kennedy for her concern and active involvement in this initiative within the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. It is very good that we have such a strong voice in the international arena in the person of Baroness Helen Kennedy», noted Olena Kondratiuk.
She recalled that it is officially known that 19,546 Ukrainian children have been effectively abducted by russia.
«Thanks to joint efforts, 1,307 children have already been returned. Unfortunately, uncovering the circumstances of the deportation of Ukrainian children is becoming increasingly difficult each day, as russia deliberately conceals its crimes. Moreover, russia is intensifying its campaign to "re-educate" Ukrainian children in its military-patriotic camps. According to various sources, between 10,000 and 12,000 Ukrainian children have already passed through these camps,» - said Olena Kondratiuk.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that 1.6 million children in the temporarily occupied territories are at risk of having their Ukrainian identity replaced by a russian one - facing indoctrination and overall militarization.
«We need to publicise and strengthen sanctions against russia for crimes against Ukrainian children which is manifestations of genocide», - emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.