The Ombudsman presented a report on how Russia destroys the identity of Ukrainian children. ZMINA also worked on the document

On July 16, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine presented a special report “THE DUSTED. Systematic Russian policy of destroying the Ukrainian identity of children”. The ZMINA Center for Human Rights also participated in the preparation of the report.

“This year’s special report is about the strategic dimension of Moscow’s genocidal policy. Under the pretext of ‘rehabilitation’ and ‘treatment’, the Russians forcefully take our children away, subjecting them to militarization and re-education. The goal of such actions is to completely destroy the Ukrainian identity in our children , “ said Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets .

The text of the report, in particular, analyzes information from open sources that indicate the systematic and planned actions of the Russian Federation for the purpose of destroying Ukrainian identity: this is evidenced by the adopted legislation in the field of citizenship, education, social policy, and the tactics of work in the occupied territories to create an atmosphere fear due to the presence of Ukrainian identity, the destruction of cultural objects and educational institutions. In addition, there are facts of physical persecution, intimidation and destruction of identity bearers – Ukrainian teachers, cultural figures, leaders of local self-government and the public.

At the same time, this document describes the work of state and international bodies and institutions aimed at protecting the rights of children affected by the war in the Russian Federation.

During the presentation, Dmytro Lubinets called on the participants to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and intensify efforts to obtain from the authorized bodies of the Russian Federation information on the number and whereabouts of children deported to Russia or relocated within the occupied territories. Lubinets noted that it is still unknown how many Ukrainian children were actually taken to Russia.

“Our organization works with documenting the facts of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus. And we see that the number of our children transported through the territory of the Russian Federation to Belarus is increasing. And we don’t know how many of these children are returning to the territory currently under the control of the Russian Federation,” said Alyona Lunyova, the advocacy director of the ZMINA Human Rights Center .

According to Lunyova, it is also necessary to remember that, according to the estimates of various organizations, there are currently almost 1.5 million children who are influenced by Russia in the occupied territories.

In addition to ZMINA, the document was also worked on by the Opora Civil Network, ICUV – International Center for Ukrainian Victory, and the Regional Center for Human Rights.

The presentation of the report was aimed at international partners, diplomats and embassies, the media and the public. 

This is the second report of the Office of the Ombudsman on the impact of the Russian war on Ukrainian children. You can find out about the first report here . 

With the text “PERIOPILENI. The systematic Russian policy of destroying the Ukrainian identity of children” can be found at the link .