Safeguarding Children from Forced Transfers and Deportation: the Bring Kids Back UA International Task Force Presented the White Paper

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The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak took part in the presentation of the White Paper "Safeguarding Children from Forced Transfers and Deportation". This is the first document developed by the Bring Kids Back UA International Task Force.

"The fourth point of the Peace Formula and the Bring Kids Back UA initiative launched by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy both have a clear goal - to bring home every abducted child. Without conditions. Without exception. This is not just a state initiative - it is our duty to our children and future generations," Andriy Yermak said.

More than 15 international experts and organizations working in the field of international law developed the White Paper. This document reveals the systematic nature of deportation and forced relocation of children by the aggressor state. It clearly documents all the evidence.

Andriy Yermak urged the participants of the meeting to join efforts to bring Ukrainian children home and to encourage countries to develop effective tools for protecting children's rights, based on the recommendations of the White Paper.

"Today we are not just presenting a document. We are calling for action. We are urging the international community to strongly condemn these crimes and to do everything possible to bring our children back. After all, by protecting their future, we are protecting the future of all humanity," the Head of the Presidential Office concluded.

Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children's Rights and Rehabilitation, noted: from the very beginning, Ukraine has been saying that Russia is abducting Ukrainian children to destroy the future of our country.

"This White Paper is part of a broader effort to protect the rights of children and their return to Ukraine. We will continue acting to ensure that these children are reunited with their families," she stressed.

Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General, stated that all those involved in this crime - from soldiers to the highest Russian officials - must be held accountable.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, added that the legal framework established by the White Paper will help Ukraine secure the support of its partners in implementing the fourth point of the Peace Formula.

Sharanjeet Parmar, Senior Transitional Justice Advisor at the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, emphasized that Russia is using children as a tool for its political purposes, violating international law.

The presentation was also attended by members of the Bring Kids Back UA International Task Force, representatives of member countries of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Members of Parliament, and representatives of Ukrainian and international human rights organizations. The event was moderated by Dariia Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer at Bring Kids Back UA.

The development of the White Paper was supported by the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine.