Russia’s war on Ukraine is having devastating impacts on children and families. More than 7 million children are affected, having experienced violence, loss of family members, displacement, and disrupted education. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been separated from their families and communities and forcibly transferred to Russian-occupied territories or deported to Russia and Belarus. Some have been placed in Russian foster and adoptive families and given Russian nationality. Many of these children have been transferred to “camps” and other facilities, where Russian officials have said they are “integrated” and receive “patriotic education.” Efforts to return forcibly deported children to Ukraine have been piecemeal amidst Russian obstructions. Fewer than 2% of those abducted have been returned to Ukraine.
International law is unambiguous when it comes to the protection of children affected by conflict. And yet, mechanisms for enforcement and accountability are proving to be inadequate as thousands of children and families remain vulnerable to attacks and forcibly separated across conflict lines. In this conversation moderated by Gillian Huebner, executive director of the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University, panelists outlined Ukrainian efforts to protect its children and the measures international partners can take to support an effective response to the impact of Russia’s policies of aggression on Ukraine’s future. A reception followed the conclusion of the question-and-answer session.
This event is convened by the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues in partnership with the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, and the U.S. Department of State.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Rasal Hague
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