The Children’s Rights Commissioner noted that nearly two years passed since their last meeting. The sides continued working all that time, focusing on the reunification of children with their families in Russia, Ukraine and third countries, which the system of children’s rights commissioners has been doing on instructions from Vladimir Putin.
Maria Lvova-Belova expressed gratitude to the ICRC for helping the placement of children with their relatives and organising transfers, humanitarian corridors and parents’ accommodation.
Since the beginning of the special military operation, 30 children from 22 families have been returned to their relatives in Russia, and another 141 children from 114 families have been placed with their relatives in Ukraine and third countries, the overwhelming majority of them with direct assistance from the ICRC.
The Commissioner also said that documents have been prepared for the placement of four children with their relatives in Ukraine. However, their transportation cannot be arranged now because of regular Ukrainian shelling attacks and strikes. She also said that families living in Russia are looking for their children in EU countries and asked the ICRC to help the reunification of families.
Maria Lvova-Belova highlighted the issue of Ukrainian crimes against Russian children, in particular, the death and injuries of minors, strikes on civilian infrastructure, as well as the involvement of teenagers in terrorist and subversive activities. According to the Children’s Rights Commissioner, these issues call for a regular dialogue, trust and mutual painstaking work. She expressed hope for continued constructive cooperation with the ICRC in the interests of children and families.